A season high wasn't good enough for the Utes to maintain their No. 1 ranking as they were jumped by Georgia in the latest rankings.

The Gym Dogs were able to supplant Utah because they dropped a low score that factors into the average used to determine the teams' rankings.

Georgia, the four-time defending national champion, has a 197.015 regional qualifying score while the Utes' is 196.885. The RQS uses six scores, three of which must be away scores, eliminates the high score and averages the rest.

Because the high score is tossed, the 197.525 the Utes earned against Michigan on Friday doesn't count. The Utes held the No. 1 spot for three weeks.

"I wish our rankings system used something that made more sense to the general public," Utah coach Greg Marsden said. "It's tough to rationalize sometimes, because sometimes there can be two teams and one can even lose and still move ahead."

Marsden would prefer to see collegiate gymnastics use the season average, rather than the RQS. "It's a truer reflection of what is happening week in and week out," he said.

Utah' average (196.831) is higher than Georgia's (196.594).

However, as confusing as the rankings are, Marsden said in this case he believes Georgia is in the correct spot.

"Georgia deserves to be No. 1," he said. "They are undefeated. We've seen them head to head and they won that meet and they're the defending champions. Until somebody knocks them off on the floor at championships they deserve the benefit of the doubt as far as I am concerned."

Asked if he thought Georgia was the best team, Marsden said "no" with a wry smile. "I think we're both very good teams and we're looking forward to seeing them at the end of the season," he said. "Until somebody beats them, they're No. 1 and the defending champions so we are working hard to get that done at the end."

Individually speaking

Kristina Baskett is ranked No. 2 in the all-around (39.394), Nina Kim is seventh (39.385) and Jamie Deetscreek is 11th (39.295).

Baskett is also second in the vault (9.925) and uneven bars (9.92) and tied with Annie DiLuzio for sixth on the floor (9.88). Daria Bijak is fourth in the vault (9.89) and Gael Mackie is ninth (9.88). Kim is fourth in the beam (9.885)

Around the state: SUU continues to have the highest average of other in-state schools with a 193.075 RQS to rank 35th best out of 80 schools. Utah State's is 191.965 (44th) and BYU is 51st (190.685).

The Aggies compete at Sacramento State along with Boise State Friday. Heather Heinrich , who missed the last meet because of illness, isn't expected to compete Friday.

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