Parenti Flips Way to USU Athlete of the Week Honor

Jan. 16, 2006

 

LOGAN, Utah - Gymnast Jessica Parenti was named the Utah State Athlete of the Week for her performance at a meet at Texas Woman's University on Sunday [Jan. 15] it was announced on Monday [Jan. 16]. The weekly award is voted on by a state media panel.

 

Parenti, a senior from Glendora, Calif., won the all-around for the second straight meet. Parenti scored a 39.250 in a meet which featured eighth-ranked LSU, as well as host Texas Woman's and Centenary. The Aggies placed second in the meet behind LSU.

 

Parenti was second on the floor and bars and was third on the beam. Last week, Parenti was the all-around champion in a four-team meet at Cal State Fullerton.

 

Last year Parenti earned all-Western Gymnastics Conference honors in the all-around and bars. She is also a three-time academic all-conference honoree.

 

The Aggies will host BYU in its home opener on Friday [Jan 20] at 6:35 p.m.

 

Nominees From Other Sports Included:

 

Basketball — Nate Harris... The senior forward led Utah State to a pair of home wins against Boise State (75-69) and Idaho (83-58) last weekend. Against the Broncos, he scored 20 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Against the Vandals, he added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. For the week, Harris averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 61.5 percent from the free throw line.

 

Women's Basketball — Ali Marchant... The senior post averaged 7.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two losses at Boise State (70-38) and Idaho (54-51). Against Boise State she had five points, but recorded 11 rebounds. Against Idaho she recorded 10 points on four of six shooting and pulled down eight rebounds.

 

Men's Tennis — No nominee. Utah State lost 7-0 to Brigham Young in its season opening match.

 

Women's Tennis — Andrea Barker... Recorded USU's lone singles win against 22nd ranked Brigham Young as she won at number five singles. She needed three sets and a tie breaker in the third to defeat Williamson 6-3, 2-6, 11-9. The Aggies lost their season opening match 6-1.

 

Men's Track — DJ Smith... Won the 60 meters with a personal best time of 6.72 at the Idaho State Snake River Open on Saturday. He was the lone Aggie athlete to post a victory in the season-opening meet.

 

Women's Track — Kathryn Duhadway... The freshman from Logan posted the second best pole vault mark in school history with a height of 12-04 to finish second at the Idaho State Snake River Open on Saturday.

 

Previous Winners Incude:

 

 For more information on Utah State University Athletics, see the Web site.