March 5, 2000
COLUMBIA, MO -- It was "Senior Day" at Hearnes Center as the University of Missouri gymnastics team completed the home portion of its 2000 schedule, and Mizzou's seniors stepped up in big ways throughout the competition at the 6th annual Corvette Cup.
But with the Tigers seemingly on their way to a school-record score in its final rotation - floor exercise - disaster struck its two best floor performers, seniors Shannon Brown and Alison Akers. Both suffered falls on tumbling passes, and Akers was unable to complete her routine after suffering a bruised tailbone.
The result was that the Ball State Cardinals were able to hang on for the Corvette Cup championship, winning with a score of 193.05. Missouri was second at 192.775, and Iowa took third at 190.275.
There were plenty of bright spots, though, for the Tigers. Brown set a school record on uneven bars, scoring 9.925. That was good for second place behind Iowa's Giselle Boniforti whose 9.95 tied the Corvette Cup record. Brown won the beam with a 9.825, and was closely followed by two other seniors. Katie Cole scored 9.775 and Chandra Harlow was third at 9.75.
Cole won the floor exercise with a personal best score of 9.85 and another senior, Meggen Smiley placed third at 9.825, her best score of the season.
Iowa's Heather DeAtley won the vault (9.65) and Ball State's Laura Szczepanski claimed the all-around title (38.7).
Missouri competes at Iowa State on Tuesday night, and at Texas Woman's University on Sunday. Utah State will also compete in Sunday's meet.
VAULT1. Heather DeAtley, Iowa 9.65 2. Jamie Swisher, BSU 9.625 Laura Szczepanski, BSU 9.625 4. Katie Cole, Missouri 9.6 5. Alina Hamm, Missouri 9.55 Kim Cromer, BSU 9.55
UNEVEN PARALLEL BARS
1. Giselle Boniforti, Iowa 9.95 2. Shannon Brown, Missouri 9.925 3. Laura Szczepanski, BSU 9.9 4. Angie Hungerford, Iowa 9.85 Renee Planck, BSU 9.85 6. Chandra Harlow, Mizzou 9.825
BALANCE BEAM
1. Shannon Brown, Missouri 9.825 2. Katie Cole, Missouri 9.775 3. Chandra Harlow, Mizzou 9.75 4. Amy Bodus, BSU 9.7 Renee Planck, BSU 9.7 6. Meggen Smiley, Missouri 9.65 Corynne Cooper, Iowa 9.65 Courtney Harless, BSU 9.65 Jamie Irwin, BSU 9.65
FLOOR EXERCISE
1. Katie Cole, Missouri 9.85 Renee Planck, BSU 9.85 3. Meggen Smiley, Missouri 9.825 Courtney Burke, Iowa 9.825 5. Laurz Szczepanski, BSU 9.8 6. Ann Gietler, Missouri 9.775 Trina Denison, BSU 9.775
ALL-AROUND
1. Laurz Szczepanski, BSU 38.7 2. Amy Bodus, BSU 38.425 3. Shannon Brown, Missouri 38.375
VAULT, TEAM
1. Ball State 47.7 2. Iowa 47.4 3. Missouri 47.35
UNEVEN PARALLEL BARS, TEAM
1. Missouri 48.775 2. Ball State 48.45 3. Iowa 48.325
BALANCE BEAM, TEAM
1. Missouri 48.2 2. Ball State 48.075 3. Iowa 46.1
FLOOR EXERCISE, TEAM
1. Ball State 48.825 2. Missouri 48.45 Iowa 48.45
TEAM TOTALS
1. Ball State 193.05 2. Missouri 192.775 3. Iowa 190.275
Attendance: 2,049