March 17, 2001

Lansing, Michigan-The University of Missouri gymnastics team used its last regular season meet as the stage for their most complete effort of the season but it wasn't quite enough as the Tigers dropped a tough meet No. 24 Michigan State Spartans,

"We put together a complete meet tonight for the first time since Nebraska," head coach Rob Drass said. "I am very proud of how our kids competed and we need to take that same energy into Big 12's next weekend."

The Tigers were very consistent slating scores of 48.100 or higher on every event for the first time this season. Mizzou was down by only .325 points going into the final rotation and equaled a team season best on beam with their 48.775 effort, but Michigan State used a 49.200 mark on floor to seal the deal. The 194.125 was the second-highest score put up by the Tigers this season and eighth best team score in MU history.

Sophomore Leah Gremaud continued to be impressive on beam for the Tigers, taking her fourth beam title of the season, her second in three weeks with a 9.900 effort. The mark equals the third best MU beam score of all time, which Gremaud has set three times this season.

Alina Hamm scored better than 39.000 for the fourth time this season against the Spartans with her 39.075 effort. Hamm tied for first on vault (9.750), tied for fifth on bars (9.775) and tied for fourth on beam with a career-high mark of 9.800. Senior Ann Gietler picked up a second place finish on bars with her 9.800 effort while freshman Lindsay Davis tied a career-high on floor (9.850) and tied for second.

The loss drops the Tigers to 4-11 on the season and 0-5 in Big 12. Mizzou faces one of the biggest challenges of the season as they head to Norman, Oklahoma next Saturday for the Big 12 Championships. Oklahoma, Mizzou, and Nebraska will all attempt to steal the crown from No. 9 Iowa State. Live scoring will be provided with the meet scheduled for 7 p.m.