Dec. 12, 2001

By DAVID CHOU
Columbia Daily Tribune staff
Published Monday, December 10, 2001

Rob Drass is all smiles these days.

The third-year Missouri gymnastics coach is as excited about this year's team as his first two teams combined.

Last night, Drass unveiled the Tigers in the Black-and-Gold meet. It was an opportunity to get his gymnasts into the swing of things.

"Overall, we were very pleased with what was going on," Drass said. "It was a bit of a wake-up call, and it allows the athletes a couple of things to think about over break before we get back into training."

While the meet may not have counted, it gave Drass' young squad an opportunity to compete. The Tigers lost only one senior, Ann Geitler, from last year's team and added several talented freshmen. Last year's two most consistent gymnasts, junior Alina Hamm and sophomore Lindsay Davis, also return.

The Tigers had numerous problems with falls last year. That not only hurt the team's point total, but also the team's morale.

Drass said the problem is corrected with more experience and better concentration. The experience that the freshmen gained last year has benefited the team by increasing the squad's depth.

"From Day 1, we were stronger than we were last year," Drass said. "What I like is that we have more than one person who can step up and carry the load. We have great depth this year, down to the sixth, seventh and eighth people.

"The team is going to get better as the season goes along, and I think we expect to get back to the regional and the NCAA Championships." If the Tigers are to advance to the championships, Drass will need several gymnasts to perform at a consistent level.

Junior Leah Gremaud began last season only competing in two events, but by the end of the year she was scoring in the all-around. Gremaud made the regional competition in the balance beam, an event Gremaud holds four top-10 school scores in.

Andrea Nervig and Lauren Owca were solid as all-around competitors.

Freshmen Ashley Asraf and Alisha Robinson should help immediately. Both own a long resume of accomplishments on the national level.

Last night, Robinson proved she was ready to compete at the collegiate level. She posted the highest marks in the floor and vault.

Robinson relishes the pressure of college competition. "I kind of like it. It's good pressure," Robinson said. "I think I perform better under pressure. There's that feeling that everybody's kind of riding on you, but I don't mind it."

While the team still has nearly a month before the season begins, Drass can hardly contain his excitement. "I'm impressed with all of the athletes," he said. "Everybody is upgrading the vaults, dismounts and tumbling passes so that we can get bigger scores. "I think things are going to be really good this year."