Dec. 4, 2001

Columbia-Missouri gymnastics kicks off the 2001-02 season with its annual Black and Gold intrasquad meet Sun., Dec. 9 at 8:00 p.m. The meet is scheduled to begin following the Mizzou women's basketball game against Northern Iowa. The event is open to the public.

The Tigers look to add to a stellar 2001 season that saw three Mizzou athletes compete in the NCAA Region III Championship. Mizzou return eight letterwinners to the team and add seven newcomers to the 2002 roster. Topping the lineup, juniors Leah Gremaud, Alina Hamm and Laura Forbes look to follow up their record breaking 2001 campaign with more fireworks. Sophomores Lindsay Davis and Andrea Nervig are poised to once again have stellar years and the addition of redshirts Rachel Bridges and Terri Baker, the Tiger round out an experienced and competitive veteran squad.

Adding to the ranks of the newcomers, freshman Alisha Robinson, the 2001 U.S. Power Tumbling Champion, looks to be a strong competitor. Freshman Ashley Asraf, a powerful gymnast out of Tom's River, N.J., looks to make an impact on the vault and floor and Rachael Dombart, from Gwinnett Gymnastics Center in Woodstock, Ga., promises to be competitive on the uneven bars and balance beam.

Missouri opens the 2001-02 regular season at Bowling Green on Sun., Jan. 13 and makes its home debut against Southeast Missouri State on Sun., Jan. 20 at 2:00 p.m., in the Hearnes Center.

Season tickets are available by calling the Hearnes Center Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia.