Feb. 10, 2003

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State all-around gymnasts Nicole Kilpatrick and Meagan Nelson each topped 39.000 for the third consecutive meet, but it wasn't enough as the Aggie gymnasts lost to Southern Utah here Monday, 195.550-195.150. SUU is 6-0 for the first time in its history, while USU moves to 3-4 on the year, though the 195.150 is the Aggies' highest road score this season.

"We came out flat," said head coach Ray Corn. "But my hat is off to Southern Utah. They had a great meet. We were fortunate to have some absolutely spectacular performances from Nicole and Meagan. They were perfect, hit four-for-four and had a tremendous meet."

Kilpatrick followed Friday's career performance 39.475 with a 39.375, winning the all-around title. Nelson was second, with a 39.350, marking the fifth time this season she scored more than 39.000. On vault, Kilpatrick scored 9.875 and Nelson posted 9.825, as the two came in first and second, respectively. They also tied with Nalani Chung for fifth on bars (9.800) and tied for second on beam with a pair of 9.850s.

USU freshman Jessica Parenti won beam, as she tied a career high with 9.875. Parenti also tied SUU's Talayna Fortunato for first place on bars with a 9.850. She scored 38.000 in the all-around.

Southern Utah dominated floor, as the Thunderbirds took the first six places without a score below 9.875 for a team score of 49.450, in contrast to USU's 48.625. USU scored 49.025 on bars, its second-highest event score of the season.

This is the third straight year SUU defeated USU in Cedar City, and brings the all-time total between the teams to 31-8 in USU's favor. USU is now 10-4 at Southern Utah.

USU travels to NC State Friday, Feb. 14, where the Aggies will compete against No. 25 NC State, Rhode Island and William and Mary. That meet begins at 5 p.m. MST.

TOP THREE BY EVENT SOUTHERN UTAH 195.550, UTAH STATE 195.150

VAULT (SUU 48.600, USU 48.575)
1. Nicole Kilpatrick (USU), 9.875;
2. Meagan Nelson (USU) 9.825;
3. Molly Bauer (SUU) 9.775
BARS (USU 49.025, SUU 49.000)
1T. Talayna Fortunato (SUU) 9.850;
1T. Jessica Parenti (USU) 9.850;
3T. Jessiann Andrus (SUU) 9.825;
3T. Carly Geronimo (SUU) 9.825
BEAM (USU 48.925, SUU 48.500)
1. Jessica Parenti (USU) 9.875;
2T. Nicole Kilpatrick (USU) 9.850;
2T. Meagan Nelson (USU) 9.850;
2T. Carly Geronimo (SUU) 9.850
FLOOR (SUU 49.450, USU 48.625)
1. Sandi Lyman (SUU) 9.925;
2. Jayme Morgan (SUU) 9.900;
3T. Meagan Nelson (USU) 9.876;
3T. Cayce Overstreet (SUU) 9.875;
3T. Molly Bauer (SUU) 9.875;
3T. Talayna Fortunato (SUU) 9.875;
3T. Sheena Shaw (SUU) 9.875
ALL-AROUND
1. Nicole Kilpatrick (USU) 39.375;
2. Meagan Nelson (USU) 39.350;
3. Talayna Fortunato (SUU) 38.675