Jan. 17, 2005

LOGAN, Utah - For the second straight meet freshman Megan Tschida took second in the all-around but the Aggies were unable to overcome an early deficit as they fell to Central Michigan 191.850 to 194.050. The Aggies are now 0-2 on the season while the Chippewas improve to 2-1.

Only two days after a solid start on vault and bars against Utah, the Aggies struggled and dug themselves into a hole. The vault, the Aggies best event against Utah, and beam were the Aggies first team scores below 48.000 this season. Tschida did well on the first three events but struggled on the beam costing her any chance of an all-around victory. Tschida tied for second on floor with a 9.800. Utah State had to count one fall on vault and two on beam.

Central Michigan was led by all-arounder Kara Reighard as she won the all-around title as well as the beam and floor titles. The Chippewas also won the other two events with Sheena Smith taking the vault title and Sara Burtinsky, who finished third in the all-around, took first on bars.

Rachael Mandy, Alex Martin and Liesel Kohler all had third place finishes for the Aggies. Redshirt sophomore Mandy tied for third on vault with a 9.775. Sophomore Martin tied for third on bars with an impressive 9.725 considering the bars broke on her while warming up. Martin was safe but shaken up. Junior Kohler tied for third on beam with a 9.675.

"No excuses, we just did not get the job done," said head coach Ray Corn. "A lot has been learned in one weekend of competition."

After having competed in two meets in three days, the Aggies will be off until they host BYU Feb. 1.

Team Scores
Utah State -  191.850
Utah - 194.050

Individual Scores All-around: 1. Kara Reighard, C. Michigan (39.250); 2. Megan Tschida, Utah State (38.350); 3. Sara Burtinsky, C. Michigan (38.075)

vault: 1. Sheena Smith, C. Michigan (9.850); 2. Mattie Crawford, C. Michigan (9.825); 3. Rachael Mandy, Utah State (9.775); 3. Rhiannon Banda, C. Michigan (9.775)

bars: 1. Sara Burtinsky, C. Michigan (9.825); 2. Kara Reighard, C. Michigan (9.750); 3. Alex Martin, Utah State (9.725); 3. Sheena Smith, C. Michigan (9.725)

beam: 1. Kara Reighard, C. Michigan (9.850); 2. Jules Passy, C. Michigan (9.800); 3. (3 tied with a 9.675)

floor: 1. Kara Reighard, C. Michigan (9.900); 2. Megan Tschida, Utah State (9.800); 2. Sara Burtinsky, C. Michigan (9.800); 2. Mattie Crawford, C. Michigan (9.800)

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