AFTER BREAKING SCHOOL RECORD, GENOVESE NAMED WAC SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK, AGAIN

3/10/2008

DENVER — Sacramento State senior Melissa Genovese was named the Western Athletic Conference Gymnastics Specialist of the Week, it was announced today. Genovese earned the award after scoring 9.950 on beam in a four-team meet which included Cal, UC Davis and Seattle Pacific last Friday.

The honor is the fourth of the year for the El Dorado HIlls, Calif., native and the fifth of her career. Genovese's score on beam broke the previous mark of 9.925 which she held along with Nirvana Zaher. Genovese, however, was not limited to success on beam in the quad meet as she tallied a season high 39.215 in the all-around. That total was comprised of a 9.525 on vault, a 9.775 on bars and a 9.875 on floor which tied for first place.

This season, she has scored at least 9.850 in five meets and has finished first in seven of the team's nine meets. Her Regional Qualifying Score of 9.880 currently leads the WAC, is second in the West region and ranks sixth nationally. Genovese's 9.950 also is tied for the second best score in the NCAA this season trailing only Courtney McCool of Georgia who scored 9.975.

Sacramento State will  next be in action on Saturday at the Salbasgeon Suites Invitational hosted by Oregon State. The meet features four teams who are all ranked in the top 36 in the nation, comprised of No. 8 OSU, No. 16 Missouri, No. 19 Boise State and No. 36 Sacramento State.

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