LOGAN, Utah – Utah State gymnast Rebecca Wells was named the America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sunday, March 20. The award is voted on by a state-wide media panel.
 
With their sponsorship of the Student-Athlete of the Week, America First Credit Union donates funds directly to support student-athlete scholarships.
 
Wells helped No. 25 Utah State capture its first-ever Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference championship as the Aggies recorded a 197.025 last Saturday at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, Idaho.
 
With their season-high-score, which ranks second all-time in school history, the Aggies notched their sixth conference title overall, including their first since 2005 (Western Gymnastics Conference).
 
No. 24 Boise State (9-7) placed second with a 196.550, Southern Utah (9-10) finished third with a 196.500 and No. 21 BYU (13-7-1) rounded out the team scoring in fourth with a 196.375.
 
The native of Smyrna, Tennessee, led Utah State as she became the third Aggie gymnast to win the MRGC all-around title with a 39.400, which is the second-best score for a conference championship meet and tied for 11th all-time in school history. Wells also tied for second on vault (9.850), tied for seventh on bars (9.875), tied for seventh on beam (9.850) and tied for 12th on floor (9.825).
 
Wells has captured 14 titles overall in 2022, which is tied for third in single-season junior class history.
 
Utah State will learn where it is headed for regionals when the NCAA announces qualifiers and locations on Tuesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. 
 
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.
 
Nominees from other sports for USU Student-Athlete of the Week included:
MEN'S BASKETBALL – Sophomore guard Steven Ashworth (Alpine, Utah) scored 20 points, to go along with five assists, two rebounds and one steal, in Utah State's 83-72 National Invitation Tournament loss to Oregon. Ashworth was 6-of-12 from the field, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free throw line in the game.
 
MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD – Sophomore Kelton Chenworth (North Edwards, California) claimed one of Utah State's four individual titles at the Arizona-hosted Willie Williams Classic this past weekend as he took the top spot in the men's high jump, clearing a mark of 2.05 meters (6-8.75). Chenworth was also USU's top finisher in the men's long jump with a mark of 6.84 meters (22-5.25).
 
WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD – Sophomore Gia Malone (Orlando, Florida) was one of four Aggies to win an individual title at the Arizona-hosted Willie Williams Classic this past weekend. Malone placed first in the  long jump with a mark of 5.77 meters (18-11.25) and was also USU's top finisher in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.60 meters (5-3.00).
 
MEN'S TENNIS – Junior Javier Ruiz (Lausanne, Switzerland) posted a straight-sets victory at No. 6 singles (6-2, 6-3) in Utah State's 4-3 home loss to Portland this past weekend. Ruiz defeated Portland's Nikolas Tvedt to tie the match at 3-3 after USU fell behind 3-0 early in the contest. Ruiz also teamed with sophomore Jack Ninteman for a 6-3 loss at the first doubles position.
 
SOFTBALL – Senior shortstop/first baseman Lexi Orozco (San Marcos, California) posted a .583 batting average (7-for-12) as Utah State went 2-2 at the Aggie Classic this past weekend with wins against Maine (8-7 (8); 7-3) and losses to Idaho State (12-6; 6-2). In all, Orozco registered seven hits, including two doubles, as well as a slugging percentage of .750. She also drew two walks and scored four runs, while posting a team-high six RBIs, and had seven putouts and 11 assists over the weekend. Orozco began the tournament by going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, five RBIs and a run against Maine. Her two-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth secured the 8-7 walk-off victory. In the first game against Idaho State, Orozco went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs. In game two against the Black Bears, Orozco was 1-for-2 at the plate, with one RBI and one walk. She drew one walk in the final game against the Bengals.
 
2021-22 America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week Winners
Aug. 30 – Ashley Cardozo, Soccer
Sept. 6 – Deven Thompkins, Football
Sept. 13 – Sammie Murdock, Soccer
Sept. 20 – Tenzi Knowles, Soccer
Sept. 27 – Bodin Zarkovic, Men's Tennis
Oct. 4 – Caleb Garnica, Men's Cross Country
Oct. 11 – Kennedi Boyd, Volleyball
Oct. 18 – Savon Scarver, Football
Oct. 25 – Sara Taylor, Soccer
Nov. 1 – Katie Haviland, Women's Cross Country
Nov. 8 – Deven Thompkins, Football
Nov. 15 – Justin Bean, Men's Basketball
Nov. 22 – Justin Bean, Men's Basketball
Nov. 29 – Logan Bonner, Football
Dec. 6 – Logan Bonner, Football
Dec. 13 – Adryana Quezada, Women's Basketball
Dec. 20 – Nick Heninger, Football
Dec. 27 – Justin Bean, Men's Basketball
Jan. 3 – Justin Bean, Men's Basketball
Jan. 10 – Rebecca Wells, Gymnastics
Jan. 17 – Brie Clark, Gymnastics
Jan. 24 – Adryana Quezada, Women's Basketball
Jan. 31 – Steven Ashworth, Men's Basketball
Feb. 7 – Brandon Horvath, Men's Basketball
Feb. 14 – Devin Pancake, Men's Track & Field
Feb. 21 – Brie Clark, Gymnastics
Feb. 28 – Manna Mensah, Women's Basketball
March 7 – Shyla Latone, Women's Basketball
March 14 – Bodin Zarkovic, Men's Tennis
March 21 – Rebecca Wells, Gymnastics
 
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