THIS WEEK IN SEAWOLF GYMNASTICS...
Alaska Anchorage (0-8) at Utah State (6-5)
Friday, March 2 — 4:30 pm AST
Dee Glen Smith Spectrum — Logan, Utah
USU PREVIEW: The Seawolves, ranked 11th in the West Region and 57th nationally with a 186.275 regional qualifying score (RQS), take to the road for the third straight time as they make just the program's second-ever trip to Utah State.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: Despite a season high score of 195.675 last week, Utah State dropped from 25th to 30th in the nation with a regional qualifying score of 193.205. USU's regional qualifying score moved up from a 193.085 to a 193.205, but due to teams that competed last week to qualify for an RQS, the Aggies dropped in the rankings. Individually, senior Jessica Parenti-Otte is 22nd nationally in the all-around with a 38.970 RQS.
ALL-TIME SERIES
vs. Utah State: Aggies lead 4-0 (1-0 in Logan)
Last Dual: USU 191.475, UAA 184.300 (Jan. 26, 2002 at San Jose)
Notes: Series began in 1987 with UAA's lone trip to USU.
CALIFORNIA RECAP: The Seawolves had tough back-to-back outings with losses to Sacramento State and Cal State-Fullerton, Feb. 16 and 18 in California. In the first meet, UAA scored a respectable 186.750 despite having top all-arounder Lauren Agostino competing only on vault (t-1st, 9.725). Freshman Courtney Williams recorded a 37.450 all-around, including a season-high 9.575 on beam, while senior Rachael Lehmkuhl had her second-best career all-around at 37.400. Freshman Meagan Byrne produced her best beam score of the season as well with a 9.475. Two days later, the Seawolves stumbled to their lowest team score since Jan. 2003, producing a 181.775 at CSF. UAA's vault score was its second-best of the season with a 47.175, led by Agostino's winning 9.775 and a career-best 9.3 from sophomore co-captain Brooke Nall.
GYMNAST NOTES: Lauren Agostino's 9.825 floor exercise against Iowa on Feb. 9 was a career-high, and her 38.675 all-around equaled the second-best performance of her career and the No. 16 mark in school history … when Agostino didn't perform on floor Feb. 11 it marked the first time in 21 career meets that the sophomore didn't compete all-around … junior Jessica Portlock's 9.825 on bars Feb. 11 was her second-best career score and tied for No. 5 on UAA's all-time list … senior Rachael Lehmkuhl had career-highs on bars (9.225) and all-around (37.450) in UAA's Feb. 9 loss to Iowa.
AROUND THE MPSF: UAA is third of four teams in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in terms of RQS with its 186.275 trailing Seattle Pacific (190.495) and UC Davis (189.400), and leading Air Force's 184.875. Individually, sophomore Lauren Agostino is No. 2 on beam (9.445) and No. 4 on vault (9.745), while freshman Courtney Williams is No. 2 in the all-around (36.970) and 5th on beam (9.335). Other Seawolves in the MPSF top-6 rankings are senior Rachael Lehmkuhl (5th on floor, 9.525; 5th all-around 36.760), junior Jessica Portlock (3rd on bars, 9.530), and junior Lauren Magiera (5th on bars, 9.490).
INJURY REPORT: Sophomore Lauren Agostino was limited to floor and vault due to several nagging injuries in the California meets. Her all-around status for the USU meet is questionable.
TRAVEL PLANS: The Seawolves leave late tonight for Utah and return Saturday evening. To reach the team on the road, please contact UAA sports information director Nate Sagan (907-786-1295; nate@uaa.alaska.edu).
TEAM STATS: Current and archived team and individual stats are available at GoSeawolves.com or by clicking on the release link at top.
