Jan. 30, 2008

Contact: Nicole Goyette

Complete Release in PDF Format

THIS WEEK IN THE PAC-10:
One complete month into competition, the national rankings are beginning to settle and five Pac-10 teams find themselves on the list of top contenders. OREGON STATE and WASHINGTON dazzled in their competitions last week. All four of the Beavers' lineups are ranked among the top 15 in the nation, and the Huskies' freshmen, following in the footsteps of standout upperclassman Ashley Houghting, sparked the first team win of the season. The Beavers travel to No. 20 ARIZONA STATE for a rare Wednesday (Jan. 30) night meet that alleviates any conflict with Super Bowl XLII. CALIFORNIA hosts No. 19 ARIZONA on Fri., Feb. 1. Both teams will no doubt attack from the start, as they're each eager to recover from tough losses and frustrating injuries. No. 8 UCLA travels north to face WASHINGTON.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE, JAN. 29-FEB.3:
*All times are Pacific

Wednesday, January 30
ARIZONA STATE vs. OREGON STATE, 6 p.m.

Friday, February 1
ARIZONA vs. CALIFORNIA, 6:30 p.m.
UCLA at WASHINGTON, 7 p.m.

PAC-10 NOTES:
ARIZONA - On its second consecutive weekend on the road, the Wildcats fell to No. 11 OREGON STATE. Lacking its usual depth, the Cats nevertheless remained aggressive until the bitter end. Briana Bergeson placed in a four-way tie for second place on bars (9.8). Karin Wurm led her team on vault (fifth, 9.775) and floor (third, 9.850). Alexis Greene pulled a solid 9.8 on beam to nab fourth place. Next competition: Feb. 1 vs. CALIFORNIA.

ARIZONA STATE - The Sun Devils posted a season-best 195.625, but unfortunately could not top No. 3 Utah. Nicole Harris placed second in the all-around with a season-high 39.35 and also notched 2008 bests of 9.875 on bars and beam. Mary Atkinson (vault, 9.825), Brittany Schuett (floor, 9.8), Tiana Jean (beam, 9.85) and Tia Orlando (beam, 9.85) each tallied career-best marks. Next competition: Jan. 30 vs. OREGON STATE.

CALIFORNIA - Despite placing in the top three in three events, the Golden Bears lost their second meet of the season (193.975-188.450) when WASHINGTON swept all four events and the meet title. Joanna Bennett posted Cal's top score of the night and highest event finish with her second-place 9.775 on bars. Three other Bears notched 9.7 or higher: Sophia Hocini vaulted to a 9.750 (third), Nassim Mirreghabie earned 9.725 on beam (third) and Siobhan Luce tallied a 9.7 on bars. Next competition: Feb. 1 at ARIZONA.

OREGON STATE - The Beavers beat No. 14 ARIZONA 196.275-194.050, in the third annual "Pink Out". The event, which raises money and awareness for breast and cervical cancer, drew the largest dual meet crowd (5,063) since 1998. Jami Lanz posted season-high scores on every event before winning the all-around (39.425). Megan Devencenzi (floor) and Yuki Lamb (beam) won spots in the lineup. OSU hit all 24 routines for the first time since 2005. Next competition: Jan. 30 at ARIZONA STATE.

STANFORD - The Cardinal hit the road for the first time in 2008, but could not master No. 8 UCLA. Allyse Ishino gave hope to the Cardinal after three solid performances: 9.875 on vault, 9.9 on bars, and 9.775 on beam. The Cardinal won the uneven bars competition 49.125-48.325 behind two other dynamite performances from Tabitha Yim (9.9) and Kelly Fee (9.875). Next competition: Feb. 8 at Chicago International Style.

UCLA - The Bruins remain undefeated after Tasha Schwikert hit exactly the mark needed (9.8) to narrowly top STANFORD 195.050-195.025. UCLA dominated the vault with high scores from Brittani McCullough (9.9), Kristina Comforte (9.875) and Schwikert (9.85). Anna Li won the all-around and McCoullough was second for the third consecutive meet. Next competition: Feb. 1 at WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON - The Huskies nabbed their first win of the season, knocking off CAL 193.975-188.450. Ashley Houghting moves into eighth place on the Huskies' all-time event titles list after winning three events: all-around (38.975), floor (9.85), and vault (9.8, tie with teammate Haley Bogart). Kristen Linton won two events, including bars (9.850) and beam (9.825). Bogart placed second on both beam and floor. Next competition: Feb. 1 vs. UCLA.