Gym team victory is dramatic for USU

FULLERTON, Calif. — What better way to get a first win of the season than with some intense drama as the Utah State gymnastics team edged Cal State Fullerton, 191.700-191.600, Sunday afternoon in a Western Athletic Conference dual.

The tenth of a point difference was Utah State's closest since losing to in-state foe BYU, 193.375-193.275, on Jan. 20, 2006, and was the Aggies' narrowest margin of victory since edging Denver, 194.925-194.875, on Feb. 11, 2005.

"We negotiated a great win today," USU head coach Ray Corn said. "We had some great performances, including Katie Omann clinching the win for us in the final spot on beam in our last rotation."

USU improves to 1-3 both overall and in WAC action while CSF is now 3-3 overall (1-2 in WAC). Utah State had two event winners in freshmen Nicole Simoneau on bars and Jasmine Minionon vault.

The Aggies also had three of the four all-arounders with junior Nicki Felley capturing top honors with a 38.650 while sophomore Heather Heinrich was third with a season-high 37.350 and senior Megan Tschida was fourth with a 36.625. Sunday was Tschida's first time competing in the all-around since the regular-season finale of 2005, her freshman season.

The Aggies return home to take on BYU and New Hampshire on 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Smith Spectrum.