University of Missouri
Oklahoma
No. 23 Missouri Falls to No. 13 Oklahoma
2/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 21, 2003
Norman, Okla.-The No. 23 ranked Mizzou gymnastics team performed in a unique quad-meet venue hosted by the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners. Along with the women's competition between Big 12 Conference rivals, the Oklahoma men's team joined the fray against Nebraska to create an interesting mix of excitement in the Lloyd Noble Center.
Competing simultaneously with the men, the Mizzou Tigers and the OU Sooners worked their mastery fighting to throw their finest skills. Following four events however, Oklahoma slipped past Missouri 195.350-194.150. The loss brings the Tigers to 6-5 on the year and 1-2 in the Big 12 Conference.
Missouri struggled through its first rotation scoring a disappointing 48.500 on bars. Junior Andrea Nervig came out as the Tigers' reviving grace scoring a 9.850 on the apparatus to top the team. Freshman Jodie Heinicka also bolstered Mizzou scoring a 9.775 and Rachael Dombart and Lindsay Davis each put up 9.750 marks.
The Tigers picked up some points on the vault scoring a 49.075-the second time Mizzou has scored the program's third-highest team score this season. Sophomore Alisha Robinson led the team scoring a 9.875 and tying the third-highest score on the apparatus in school history. Adding to Missouri's exhibition, junior Rachel Bridges and freshman Katie Roets scored consecutive 9.825 marks to boost the Tigers. Rounding out Mizzou's scoring squad, Heinicka and senior Alina Hamm both earned 9.775 scores.
Moving onto the floor routine, several Tigers put forth winning efforts. Shining on her signature event, freshman Lauren Schwartzman once again lead the Mizzou lineup scoring a 9.875. Robinson did her part as well scoring a 9.850 along with Bridges' 9.775 and Davis' 9.750, Missouri posted a 48.675 team score on the floor exercise.
Rounding out their meet on the balance beam, the Tigers once again found glimpses of composure in the distracting arena. MU's lead off performer, Bridges opened the round scoring a solid 9.775. After taking two falls on the apparatus Schwartzman got the Tigers back on track recording a career-high 9.900 to lead the Missouri team. Robinson followed suit scoring a 9.875 to post her highest beam score of the year. Missouri included the two falls in their five-routine total however to score a mere 47.900, but still managed to best the Sooners on the apparatus (47.500).
Missouri returns home to host the Ninth Annual Corvette Cup on Sun., March 2 at 2:00 p.m., in the Hearnes Center. The Tigers welcome Eastern Michigan, Southeast Missouri State and Texas Woman's University to the 2003 competition. Tickets are still available by calling the Hearnes Center Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS or 884-PAWS locally. Tickets can also be purchased on meet day at the Hearnes Center Ticket Office.
