LOGAN, Utah – Utah State's gymnastics team held its first official practice of the 2021-22 campaign on Monday at the team's practice facility located inside the HPER building.
 
The Aggies return 11 gymnasts from last year's team that enjoyed one of its finest seasons in program history as the Aggies competed in their 26th NCAA Regional Championship, including their first since 2017.

When the dust finally settled, Utah State ended the year ranked No. 25 in the nation, their best finish since finishing 15th in 1999. The Aggies also tied for 25th in 1998.
 
Additionally, the Aggies welcome back junior Sofi Sullivan, who opted out of her sophomore season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"We have never been more excited about an official first day of practice since I have been here," said fifith-year head coach Amy Smith, who garnered Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference (MRGC) Coach of the Year accolades in 2020. "We had the very best testing day last Thursday, and everybody on the team has upped their level, so we are starting much further along than we have in years past, which is beyond exciting.
 
"We also just came off the most productive retreat weekend we have ever had. The team has bought in completely, top to bottom, which was a very welcomed nuance from years past. The energy in the gym was intentional, focused and fun, which was incredible. We are expecting another stellar year for Aggie Gymnastics."

Utah State scored 49 or better on vault in six straight meets last season, which set a school record. The Aggies averaged a school-record 49.005 on the event, marking the first time in program history they have ever averaged 49 or better. USU notched three of its top vault scores in school history with a 49.225 (tied for third) at the Denver tri meet, and a pair of 49.175s (tied for fifth) at both BYU and Utah.

At the 2021 NCAA Regional Championships in West Valley City, the Aggies recorded their top vault score at a regional meet with a 49.075, bettering the 48.950 set at the NCAA Seattle Regional in 2017.

Grace Rojas, one of three seniors on the team this year, led Utah State on bars in 2021 as she averaged 9.809 on the event, which ranks third all-time in school history. As a team, the Aggies averaged 48.877, good enough for fourth-best in school history. Utah State scored a 49.025 on bars at the NCAA Regional Championships, which is the second-best score the team has ever produced at a regional meet.

The Aggies scored 49 or better on beam in nine straight meets, which set a school record, and averaged 49.032 on the event, which ranks second all-time in school history. Utah State recorded three of its top beam scores in school history in 2021 with a 49.400 (third) at the Denver tri meet, a 49.275 (tied for fifth) against Southern Utah and a 49.225 (tied for eighth) at Southern Utah.

As a team, the Aggies averaged 49.036 on floor, which ranks fourth all-time in school history.

Utah State recorded three of its best all-time team scores in school history in 2021 with a 196.775 (third) at the Denver tri meet, a 196.600 (tied for fifth) at BYU and a 196.500 (seventh) at Utah. Inside the friendly confines of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, the Aggies had a 196.250 in the MRGC Championships and a 196.225 against Southern Utah, which rank seventh and eighth all-time at home.

Utah State notched four of its best away scores in school history last season with a 196.775 (third) at the Denver tri meet, a 196.600 (fourth) at BYU, a 196.500 (fifth) at Utah and a 196.250 (seventh) at Boise State.
 
Besides Rojas (VT, UB, BB) and Sullivan (AA), Utah State also welcomes back seniors Carley Bayles (UB, BB) and Anique Grenier (UB), juniors Lexi Aragon (UB, BB), Maia Fishwick (AA), Jessica Gutierrez (UB, BB, FX), Ariel Toomey (AA) and Rebecca Wells (AA), and sophomores Brianna Brooks (AA), Eve Jackson (AA) and Angel Stuart (VT, UB, FX).
 
"We had a great start," Rojas said of the team's first practice of the season. "We brought the energy and the gymnastics looks great, but we still have a long way to go. We are ready to attack the preseason to put ourselves in the best position for the season. We're excited for what's to come."
 
Utah State welcomes seven newcomers to the team this year in freshmen Molly Arnold (VT, UB, FX), Trinity Brown (AA), Brie Clark (AA), Amari Evans (VT, UB, FX), Danika Kirstine (VT, UB, BB), Kielyn McCrieght (UB, BB, FX) and Brooke Wilson (AA).
 
For more information on the Utah State gymnastics program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUGymnastics, on Facebook at UtahStateGymnastics and on Instagram at USUGymnastics. 
 
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