Jan. 12, 2003

Columbia, Mo.-No. 20 Mizzou Tigers squeaked past No. 18 ranked Iowa State topping the Cyclones 192.575-192.00 to claim their first victory of the 2003 season. In addition, it is the first time the Tigers had boasted a Big 12 Conference triumph since the 1996 season when MU defeated Oklahoma (192.200-191.800). Mizzou's last win over Iowa State came in 1994 when the Tigers surpassed the Cyclones 189.000-183.625.

Making the feat possible, several Tigers opened the year with quality performances. Freshman Jodie Heinicka topped the charts in her first event scoring a 9.800 on the vault to finish third overall on the apparatus. Fellow newcomer Lauren Schwartzman also put up big numbers for the Tigers in her inaugural outing scoring a 9.775 on both the balance beam and floor exercise.

Mizzou's veterans proved they hadn't lost their touch during the off-season as well, junior Andrea Nervig kicked off the year scoring a 9.975 on the uneven bars to record the meet's best mark on the apparatus. Senior Alina Hamm followed up posting Mizzou's high mark on the floor exercise scoring a 9.800 to finish second in the event overall.

Rounding out the lineup, junior Lindsay Davis filled in as Missouri's only all-around competitor in the meet. She scored a 38.400 to finish second overall. She scored a 9.625 on vault, 9.775 on bars, 9.250 on beam and 9.750 on floor.

The victory boosts the Tigers to a 1-0 start with a 1-0 record in the Big 12 Conference. Mizzou heads to Pittsburgh next week to take on the Panthers on Sat., Jan. 18 at 7:00 p.m. Missouri's next home meet is scheduled for Fri., Jan. 24 at 7:00 p.m. The Tigers host the Nebraska Cornhuskers.