By Jennifer Hawkins

Leaps, leotards, and ladies; all were present Friday night at the Western Gymnastics Conference. The Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, filled with an audience of 2,097 fans, was the site of the Aggies' third-place finish. Utah State, with a total team score of 195.55, was outscored by second place Southern Utah University (195.575), and the winners of the meet, University of Denver (195.825). The high score gave the Pioneers the edge they needed to become the first-ever 2002 Western Gymnastics Conference Champions.

The evening began with the University of Denver on the vault, Boise State performing on the floor, Cal State Fullerton had a bye, and Utah State gymnasts started on the uneven bars. It took some time for the Aggie team to get in their groove. However, Katie Rutherford, the fifth athlete to take to the apparatus, had a near-perfect performance. After nailing the landing, the judges awarded her a 9.925, a score that gave her an individual first-place finish.

After a three-minute warm-up break, the Denver Pioneers were placed on the floor, the Broncos of Boise were vaulting, Cal State Titans began their performance on the bars, and the USU Aggies moved on to the beam. Utah States most impressive athletes for this event were Kirra Seeley and Katie Rutherford. Seeley, a senior from Kaysville, Utah, received the highest mark a 9.825. Rutherford wasn't far behind with a 9.775

The Aggies were on a roll and were feeling confident as the team made their way to the floor. The most impressive routine came from Jessica Abrego. Abrego had a great night, finishing second in the all-around for the floor, as well as taking third for her vault performance earlier in the evening. Utah States average score for this event was an impressive 9.67. USU accomplished all this while Cal State performed on the beam, Denver on the vault, and Southern Utah on the bars.

The fourth rotation of the evening found USU on the vault, SUU balancing on the beam, CSF tumbling on the floor, and BSU flying on the bars. Utah State had another first place individual finish in Nicole Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick's vaulting capabilities scored a 9.925 from the judges. With help from their star performers, the Aggies were in second place with a team score of 97.75.

The final round of competition found Utah State with a bye, Boise State on the beam, Southern Utah performing on the floor, Denver assigned to the uneven bars, and Cal State vaulting. The Aggies were in an uncomfortable position. The athletes watched their competitors with anticipation. With the final floor performance of the evening all wrapped up, athletes wait for final calculations.

Before the team results were revealed a few other awards were given.

The top six AA athletes were: 6. Kelly Mathiasen (CS Fullerton), 5. Talayna Fortunato (SUU), 4. Nicole Kilpatrick (USU), 3. Jessina Agrego (USU), 2. Ashley Schible (UD), 1. Jamie Johns (BSU).

With a first-place finish, Jamie Johns from Boise State was the recipient of the Western Conference Gymnast of the year. Melissa Kutcher, University of Denver, received the honor of Western Conference Coach of the Year. Preceding the awards, the first, second, and third place team winners received their medals.

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