WEEKLY AGGIE UPDATE - FEBRUARY 19, 2024
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Contact: Ashley Springer - (435) 797-5547
This Week
Tues., Feb. 20 --- #19 SAN DIEGO STATE, 7 p.m. (CBSSN)
• Utah State men's basketball (21-5, 9-4 MW) continues Mountain West play this week with one game as it hosts No. 19 San Diego State (20-6, 9-4 MW) on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m., in a game that will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Last Week
W, 84-76 --- at Wyoming
L, 55-75 --- at Colorado State
• Utah State went 1-1 in Mountain West play last week with an 84-76 road win at Wyoming and 75-55 road loss to Colorado State. Against the Cowboys, USU shot 56.6 percent (30-of-53), including 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from 3-point range, and 71.4 percent (15-of-21) at the free throw line. UW shot 41.8 percent (28-of-67), including 36.0 percent (9-of-25) from behind the arc, and 68.8 percent (11-of-16 at the charity stripe. Four Aggies scored in double figures in graduate senior guard Darius Brown II (24), junior guard Josh Uduje (20), senior guard Ian Martinez (13) and junior wing Great Osobor (10). Against the Rams, USU shot 38.6 percent (22-of-57) from the field, 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from deep, and 50.0 percent (7-of-14) at the free-throw line. CSU shot 45.2 percent (28-of-62) from the field, 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from downtown and 78.9 percent (15-of-19) at the charity stripe. Three Aggies scored in double figures in Osobor (15), Martinez (14) and sophomore guard Javon Jackson (10).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Contact: Jaden Johnson - (435) 797-2066
This Week
Wed., Feb. 21 --- at San José State, 8 p.m. (MT) (MWN)
Sat., Feb. 24 --- COLORADO STATE, 2 p.m. (MWN)
• Utah State women's basketball (4-21, 1-13 MW) continues its 2023-24 campaign this week as it plays at San José State (6-19, 1-12 MW) on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. (MT), and hosts Colorado State (16-9, 7-7 MW) on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed and broadcast on the radio on 107.7 FM. Links to live streams and stats are available at www.utahstateaggies.com.
Last Week
L, 57-73 --- BOISE STATE
L, 62-90 --- at San Diego State
• Utah State posted an 0-2 record last week with a 73-57 home loss to Boise State and a 90-62 road loss to San Diego State. Against the Broncos, junior guard Cheyenne Stubbs posted the second double-double of her career with 19 points and a career-high-tying 11 rebounds. USU shot 29.5 percent (18-of-61) from the field, 15.8 percent (3-of-19) from 3-point range and 75.0 percent (18-of-24) from the free throw line. BSU shot 39.7 percent (25-of-63) from the floor, 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from behind the arc, and 50.0 percent (10-of-20) from the charity stripe. Against the Aztecs, a pair of Aggies scored in double-figures as Stubbs scored 22 points and junior guard Macy Smith added 11 points. USU shot 31.7 percent (19-of-60) from the field, 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from 3-point range, and 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from the free throw line. SDSU shot 53.1 percent (34-of-64) from the floor, 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from behind the arc, and 60.0 percent (12-of-20) from the charity stripe.
GYMNASTICS
Contact: Adalee Randall - (435) 797-1361
This Week
Fri., Feb. 23 --- #33 BOISE ST./#29 IOWA ST./TEXAS WOMAN'S, 7 p.m. (MWN)
• Utah State gymnastics (4-10, 2-0 MW) continues its 2024 season this weekend as it hosts No. 33 Boise State (8-3, 2-0 MW), No. 29 Iowa State (4-5) and Texas Woman's (3-6) in a quad meet on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. Links to live streams and stats are available at www.utahstateaggies.com.
Last Week
W, 195.925-195.725 --- SAN JOSÉ STATE
• Utah State posted a 195.925-195.725 Mountain West home win against San José State last weekend. USU began the meet with a 48.850 on vault, followed by a 49.025 on bars, 48.900 on beam and 49.150 on floor. SJSU recorded a 48.975 on vault, 48.975 on bars, 48.825 on beam and a 48.950 on floor. Graduate student Alivia Ostendorf lead the Aggies on vault with a 9.825, which tied her for first place. Freshman Nyla Morabito followed with a 9.800 and tied for fourth place, and senior Brianna Brooks notched a 9.775 to tie for sixth. Graduate student Juliette Boyer and junior Payton Gatzlaff recorded a pair of 9.725s to round out the scoring for the Aggies. USU's bar rotation was led by junior Dani Kirstine, who tied for first on the event with a 9.850. Fifth-year senior Lexi Aragon and Brooks followed in scoring with a pair of 9.825s and tied for third place. Aragon's score tied her season high. Graduate Juliette Boyer earned a 9.775, while sophomore Avery Bibbey and senior Angel Stuart posted 9.750s on the event. USU headed to beam for the third rotation and scored a 48.900. Aragon anchored the event and notched the top score of 9.850 for the Aggies. Brooks followed with a 9.800 and Kirstine scored a 9.775. The last-minute lineup addition of senior Jenna Eagles helped the Aggies as she posted a 9.750. Freshman Sydney Jelen rounded out the scores for USU with a 9.725. The Aggies took the floor for the final rotation and posted a 49.150. Ostendorf received her second title of the night with a 9.875. Stuart took second place on the event with a 9.850, while Morabito and junior Amari Evans posted a pair of 9.825s and tied for third. Eagles' 9.775 was the final score that counted for the Aggies.
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Contact: Jake Ellis - (435) 797-8584
This Week
Thur.-Sat., Feb. 22-24 --- at MW Champs., Albuquerque, N.M., All Day
• Utah State's track & field teams will return to action this weekend as it competes in the Mountain West Championships, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 22-24. The Aggie men placed fifth at last year's championships, while the Aggie women finished 10th.
Last Competition
NTS --- at Arkansas Invite
NTS --- at New Mexico Invite
NTS --- at Washington Invite
NTS --- at Idaho State Invite
• Utah State claimed five titles and 14 top-five finishes across four meets two weekends ago. At the Arkansas-hosted Tyson Invitational, sophomore Logan Hammer won the men's pole vault, clearing 5.42 meters (17-9.25). Hammer's personal record improves his mark as third-best all-time in USU history. The performance leads the Mountain West and is tied for 18th-best in the nation. Junior Nate Franz won the men's shot put at the Idaho State-hosted Mountain State Games with a mark of 16.53 meters (54-2.75). Senior Gavin Beierle finished second with a mark of 16.42 meters (53-10.50) and senior Brandon Ovington took fifth with a mark of 15.99 meters (52-5.50) in the event. Freshman Viann Robinson claimed the women's long jump title with a mark of 11.07 meters (36-4.0), while junior Camren Todd won the men's 3,000 meters with a time of 8:25.58. Junior Eric Nelson placed third in the event with a time of 8:32.13. Sophomore Logan Garnica secured a title in the men's mile at the New Mexico-hosted Don Kirby Invitational with a time of 4:11.19. Garnica's personal record time beat his second-place competitor by more than a second and a half, leading a pack of 42 athletes. Junior Godwin Charles finished fourth in the men's triple jump with a mark of 15.68 meters (51-5.50) at the Arkansas-hosted Tyson Invitational. At the Washington-hosted Husky Classic, freshman Landon Bott placed fourth with a time of 1:48.89 in the men's 800 meters. Bott improved his personal record and third-best time in USU history by 0.16 of a second. In the women's mile, junior Mimi Miyazawa finished 30th with a time of 4:48.65. Her time ranks as the sixth-best time in USU history. Sophomore Drew Hogan also entered the USU record book as he finished 19th in the men's mile with a time of 4:04.47, which ranks as the sixth-best time in school history. Senior Spencer Nelson placed 19th in the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 14:01.51. With the time, Nelson now ranks fifth all-time in USU history. Also in New Mexico, seniors Mattie Geddes and Hannah Davidson improved their spots in the Aggie record book with personal records in the women's 800 meters. Geddes placed fourth with a time of 2:09.34, the second-best time in school history, while Davidson finished eighth with a time of 2:10.32 which ranks as the fifth-best in USU history. Junior Maddie Edwards improved her personal record in the women's 60-meter hurdles preliminaries, finishing with a time of 8.75. Her performance ranks as the 10th-best time in the event in USU history. Other top-five finishes for the Aggies included freshman Marion Packer in the women's 800 meters (second, 2:14.37), sophomore Sarah Ellis in the women's 3,000 meters (second, 10:13.72), sophomore Malia Lowe in the women's 3,000 meters (fourth, 10:14.33) and junior Sammi Lee in the women's 3,000 meters (seventh, 10:21.35). Miyazawa also climbed the USU all-time top 10 of the women's 3,000 meters with a time of 9:32.60, which ranks as the fourth-best performance in school history, while junior Emma Thornley and freshman Shelby Jensen both entered the Aggie top 10 in the event at fifth with a time of 9:33.25 and eighth with a time of 9:38.35, respectively. In the women's 5,000 meters, senior Bailey Brinkerhoff-Todd and sophomore Ana Weaver also entered the school record book at fourth with a time of 16:29.00 and ninth with a time of 16:43.77, respectively. Additionally at the Mountain State Games, freshman Jedidiah Megargel took second in the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 14:44.44, while sophomore Milly Garren placed third in the women's shot put with a mark of 14.07 meters (46-2.0). The women's DMR team, consisting of sophomore Morgan Nygren, freshman Julia Stuard, senior Taylia Norris and freshman Caroline Moon, finished third with a time of 12:21.21. In the women's pole vault, freshman Sabrina Fairbanks cleared a height of 3.71 meters (12-2.0) to finish fourth. Senior Caden Dupee took fifth in the men's long jump with a mark of 6.59 meters (21-7.50).
MEN'S TENNIS
Contact: Emma Becerra - (435) 797-8584
This Week
Fri., Feb. 23 --- IDAHO STATE, 11 a.m.
• Utah State men's tennis (7-1, 0-0 MW) continues its 2024 spring season this weekend as it hosts Idaho State (6-4) on Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m.
Last Week
W, 4-3 --- vs. Santa Clara, Phoenix, Arizona
W, 4-3 --- at Grand Canyon
• Utah State posted a 2-0 record last week with a 4-3 neutral court win against Santa Clara and a 4-3 win at Grand Canyon. Against the Broncos, the Aggies took the lead early as they earned the doubles point as senior Stijn Paardekooper and sophomore Nuno Pinheiro posted a 7-6 (4) win at the first position, while graduate senior Bodin Zarkovic and freshman Stefan Vedovelli notched a 6-3 win at the second position. In singles, Paardekooper won at the No. 2 spot in three sets (7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4), junior Sergi Micó Fenollar won in three sets at the No. 3 spot (3-6, 6-1, 6-1) and freshman Mohammad Alkotop won in straight sets at the No. 5 spot (7-5, 6-3). Zarkovic fell at the No. 1 spot in straight sets (1-6, 4-6), Pinheiro lost in straight sets at the No. 4 spot (6-7 (3), 2-6) and Vedovelli lost in three sets at the No. 6 spot (2-6, 6-3, 3-6). Against GCU, the Antelopes started the match off by earning the doubles point by clinching wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. In singles, Zarkovic won in straight sets at the No. 1 spot (6-2, 6-3), Paardekooper won in three sets at the No. 2 spot (6-7, 6-7(4), 6-2), Pinheiro won in straight sets at the No. 4 spot (7-6 (4), 6-2) and Alkotop won in three sets at the No. 5 spot (6-0, 6-7 (5), 6-1). Fenollar lost at the No. 3 spot (5-7, 6-2, 3-6) and Vedovelli lost at the No. 6 spot (5-7, 6-4, 4-6).
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Contact: Emma Becerra - (435) 797-8584
This Week
Sat., Feb. 24 --- at Idaho, 11 a.m. (MT)
Sun., Feb. 25 --- at Gonzaga, 11 a.m. (MT)
• Utah State women's tennis (3-3, 0-0 MW) continues its 2024 spring season this week with a pair of matches as it plays at Idaho (4-3) on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. (MT), and at Gonzaga (3-5) on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. (MT).
Last Week
L, 3-4 --- WEBER STATE
W, 5-2 --- vs. Eastern Washington, Missoula, Montana
W, 4-3 --- at Montana
• Utah State posted a 2-1 record last week with a 4-3 home loss to Weber State, followed by a 5-2 neutral court win against Eastern Washington and a 4-3 win at Montana. Against WSU, the Wildcats earned the doubles point to start the match with wins at the first and second positions. In singles, senior Laura Fernanda Eugenio De Hilario won at the No. 3 spot in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), graduate student Zeynep Naz Ozturk won in three sets at the No. 2 spot (6-4, 3-6, 6-3) and junior Indya Nespor tied the match at 3-3 with a win in straight sets at the No. 5 spot (6-4, 6-2). Senior Lisa Küng fell at the No. 1 spot in straight sets (4-6, 1-6) and the match finished with freshman Savannah Johnson falling at the No. 6 spot in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 4-6). Against EWU, USU earned the doubles point as Ozturk and De Hilario recorded a 7-5 win at the first position, while Küng and Sanchez notched a 6-3 win at the third position. In singles, Ozturk won at the No. 1 spot in three sets (6-7(4), 6-1, 6-3), freshman Niyati Kukreti won in three sets at the No. 3 spot (2-6, 6-2, 6-2), Nespor won in straight sets the No. 4 spot (6-3, 7-5) and Johnson won in straight sets at the No. 6 spot (6-4, 7-6 (4). At the No. 2 spot, De Hilario fell in straight sets (4-6, 1-6) and at the No. 5 spot, Sanchez lost in three sets (3-6, 6-4, 5-10). And against the Grizzlies, the Aggies earned the double point as Nespor and Kukreti won 7-5 at the second position, while Küng and Sanchez posted a 6-2 win at the third position. In singles, Ozturk won in straight sets at the No. 1 spot (6-1, 6-2), Johnson won in straight sets at the No. 6 spot (6-3, 7-6 (3) and Sanchez had the game-clinching point for USU as she won in three sets, which included two tiebreakers, at the No. 5 spot (6-7 (7), 7-6 (5), 6-3). De Hilario lost at the No. 2 spot (1-6, 1-6), Kukreti lost at the No. 3 spot (6-7 (5), 3-6) and Nespor lost at the No. 4 spot (4-6, 3-6).
SOFTBALL
Contact: Jaden Johnson - (435) 797-2066
This Week
at Utah Tech Classic
Fri., Feb. 23 --- vs. Weber State, 11 a.m.
Sat., Feb. 24 --- vs. Weber State, 12:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 24 --- vs. Eastern Kentucky, 3 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 25 --- vs. Eastern Kentucky, 12:30 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 25 --- at Utah Tech, 3 p.m.
• Utah State softball (5-4, 0-0 MW) continues non-conference play this weekend at the Utah Tech Classic in St. George, Utah. USU will begin the tournament on Friday, Feb. 23, with a game against Weber State (3-7) at 11 a.m. The Aggies face Weber State again on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 12:30 p.m., followed by a game against Eastern Kentucky (9-0) at 3 p.m. USU concludes the tournament on Sunday, Feb. 25, with games against Eastern Kentucky and Utah Tech (3-5) at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Last Week
at Cal Baptist Classic
L, 2-3 --- vs. CSU Bakersfield
W, 3-2 --- vs. Weber State
W, 9-0 (5) --- vs. CSU Bakersfield
L, 6-7 (9) --- at Cal Baptist
W, 4-2 --- vs. Weber State
• Utah State posted a 3-2 record last weekend at the Cal Baptist Classic with wins against Weber State (3-2, 4-2) and CSU Bakersfield (9-0), and losses to CSU Bakersfield (3-2) and Cal Baptist (7-6). Five Aggies saw time in the circle, combining for an ERA of 2.41. The USU pitching staff allowed 39 hits and 14 earned runs, while striking out 24 batters and walking 11. Junior infielder Ariel Fifita led the Aggies at the plate after batting .636 (7-of-11) including a double and four RBIs. As a team, USU hit .289 (35-of-121), including six doubles and a home run. Junior infielder Giselle Gonzalez led the Aggies with 25 putouts and one assist.
GOLF
Contact: Doug Hoffman - (435) 797-3714
This Week
Mon.-Tues, Feb. 19-20 --- at Wyoming Match Play, Palm Springs, CA, All Day
• Utah State's golf team begins its 2024 spring season in Palm Springs, California, at the Wyoming-hosted Match Play Tournament on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19-20.
Last Competition
1st/10 --- at Monterrey Invite
• Utah State concluded its fall slate by capturing the team title at the inaugural Monterrey Collegiate Classic on Oct. 27-28. USU shot a school-record 29-under 835 to edge runner-up North Dakota State by one stroke on the par-72, 7,141-yard course. The victory marked Utah State's 22nd team title in program history, including its first since the 2020-21 campaign. The 29-under was 12 strokes better than the previous program record for a 54-hole score, which the Aggies shot during the 2022-23 season at the UC San Diego Invitational. Julio Arronte Sanchez led the Aggies as the junior placed second with a career-best 15-under 202. Arronte Sanchez's 15-under 202 ranks fifth all-time for the lowest 54-hole score in program history. Ashton McArthur continued his stellar fall season as the freshman tied for 11th at 9-under 208. Junior Luis Gerardo Cantu tied for 20th with a career-best 5-under 215. Freshman Enrique Karg tied for 31st at 1-over 217 and junior Esteban Jaramillo tied for 35th at 2-over 218. Playing as an individual, senior Cole Enlow tied for 39th at 3-over 219. He shot a career-best 5-under 67 in the opening round.
