University of Missouri
Iowa State
No. 19 Mizzou Dominates at Iowa State
1/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Jan. 9, 2009
AMES, Iowa - The Missouri Tigers opened the season with a resounding statement of things to come, with dominating performances from its lineups and a win in the all-around from junior Sarah Shire's (Columbia, Mo.) 39.35 on the night. She posted the night's biggest score with a 9.9 on balance beam, which tied her career high. This is her first all-around title of the season, and the fourth of her career at Missouri.
In the end, the Tigers outdid the Cyclones by a score of 195.050 to 193.175. Missouri won every single event on the night -- and posted their second-highest opening night score. The only higher score came in 2004, when the Tigers posted a 195.350 on their way to the Super Six. This was the 82nd meeting of the two teams -- the Tigers now lead the series 43-39.
It was also a big night for senior all-arounder Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.), who finished just behind her teammate Shire with a 39.175. The senior's strongest performances came on floor (9.875) and beam (9.825).
Being on the road, Mizzou started off the night on the uneven bars. Junior Becky Scholle (Chesterfield, Mo) was first up for the Tigers, posting a 9.700. Freshman Allison Heizelman (Cypress, Texas) followed up Scholle's start with a 9.65. Shire and Perry paced the Tigers with strong performances, notching a 9.800 and 9.75, respectively. But it was senior bars specialist Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) who set the high mark for the Tigers with an aggressive performance and strong landing, culminating in a 9.85. The showing put Missouri ahead almost a full point.
The Tigers followed up their showing with a big night on vault. Sophomores Lauren Stephenson (Kansas City, Mo.) capped a strong vault with a 9.750, while Alex Gold (Plano, Texas) set the pace with a 9.800. Perry followed with a solid vault for a 9.700. But the highlight reel got going with freshman Mary Burke (Inverness, Ill.) and Shire. Burke stuck a strong vault for a 9.775, while Shire posted the highest score of the night for both teams so far with a 9.875.
Missouri headed to the floor ahead of the Cyclones by two points, where the Tigers looked to hit their stride. Gold's 9.725 put the Tigers on good footing, while junior Danielle Guider (Nutley, N.J.) steadied the lineup with a solid 9.700. The real fireworks of the rotation came from Burke, Shire and Perry. Burke posted a 9.725 on a strong routine, while Shire pushed the team higher with a confident performance and a 9.8. Perry stole the show at the end, scoring a 9.875 behind a strong, flashy display.
Still ahead by just over two full points, the Tigers were determined to pull away and worked hard to put up big numbers on the balance beam in their final rotation. Beam specialist junior Brooke Boehmer (Overland Park, Kan.) notched a solid 9.625 to begin the final round. Up next, Guider and Hatcher anchored the middle with strong showings, and a 9.450 and 9.850, respectively. Shire matched her career high on the event -- posting a 9.900 in a near-perfect performance. Perry finished the night for the Tigers on a high note, ending with a 9.825 to secure the Missouri win.
The Tigers will take the road again next weekend -- this time to Tempe, Ariz., to face the Arizona State Sun Devils. That meet begins at 7:30 p.m. CT. Visit mutigers.com for updates and news throughout the week.
