Rutherford, Ropelato to be Honored on Gymnastics Senior Night Friday

Feb. 23, 2005

 

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State women's gymnastics will honor seniors Rachel Ropelato and Katie Rutherford as part of senior night against Boise State, Friday, Feb. 25, at 6:45 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Last season the Aggies were void of any seniors.

 

Rutherford, who is from Chappaqua, N.Y., was the first ever Aggie to be named a co-captain as a sophomore. In her three years as a captain she has demonstrated her leadership abilities on and off the floor of competition.

 

Her freshman year, Rutherford won the bars title at the Western Gymnastics Conference Championships with a 9.925 which was good enough for the fifth-best bars score in Utah State  history. She also scored a 9.900 on beam to tie the ninth-best Aggie score in history. She was named to the all-WGC first team on vault in 2002. Since then she has battled a barrage of injuries.

 

Rutherford's influence has not been limited to competition as she has excelled in community and team service. She is the president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and is a member of the Student Athlete Mentors program. Her service on and off the floor has led her to being nominated for a number of prestigious national awards for excelling in sport and service.

 

Ropelato, who is from Hyrum, Utah, is the first Aggie from Cache Valley since 1991 to compete for four years at Utah State. In her second year as a co-captain, Ropelato continues to be a consistent force for Utah State. Each year Ropelato has been getting better and better. Last year as a junior she had her best season yet as she set career-highs on beam (9.750), floor (9.875), bars (9.925) and the all-around (38.700). She holds two Utah State top-10 scores on vault and one on bars. Ropelato's 2004 bars average of 9.739 is eighth best for Utah State all-time.

 

She was also honored with first team all-WGC honors on vault in 2004 and was honored with second team all-WGC accolades on bars in 2004 and vault in 2003.

 

"Since we had no seniors last year, both girls have been leading this team for two years," said head coach Ray Corn. "They are both great examples of how to practice, compete and conduct the rest of your life. They are great leaders in every aspect."