Jan. 30, 2004
#12 Mizzou Faces #13 Nebraska
The Mizzou gymnastics team takes on its second ranked Big 12 Conference opponent this weekend when it travels to Lincoln, Neb., face the #13 ranked Cornhuskers. The meet is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m., in the Bob Devaney Center.
Upcoming Events
Don't miss the Tigers' signature event as Mizzou hosts the 2004 State Farm Cat Classic. Bringing a taste of the NCAA National Championship to the Hearnes Center, the Tigers welcome #18 Penn State, #25 Brigham Young and Kentucky to compete in the two-day venue.
Fri., Feb. 6, Missouri hosts the team competition followed by the individual championships on sat., Feb. 7. Both sessions begin at 7:00 p.m.
Scouting #13 Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are currently ranked 13th in the national GymInfo poll, just one spot below Mizzou. The Tigers edge NU averaging a 195.967 team total, while Nebraska averages a 195.717.
Despite opening the year with its highest score of the season (196.550) to best Michigan, Nebraska is 1-2 losing its last two contests. The Cornhuskers fell to #3 ranked Utah 196.9-194.325 and dropped their meet last weekend to #5 Iowa State 196.925-196.275.
Pairing against the Tigers on Saturday, Nebraska brings a new lineup to the arena after losing five gymnasts to graduation last season. The 2003 Huskers defeated the Tigers 196.100-193.000 in dual meet competition on their way to winning both the Big 12 season and tournament crowns. Overall, Nebraska leads the MU-NU series 25-3.
Mizzou's Grand Opening
MU has kicked off its season in grand fashion scoring its highest season opening scores in the program's 25-year history.
The Tigers opened 2004 posting a 195.350 against Iowa State. While the score wasn't enough to edge the Cyclones, it made history as the highest season opening mark.
Typically working up their skill level throughout the season, the Tigers recorded their first 195+ mark in their last dual meet of the 2000 season. Last season, the Tigers' didn't post a 195+ score until its fourth meet of the year.
Continuing their opening stanza, the Tigers took their feat a step further scoring a 196.500 against Southeast Missouri State and a 196.050 against New Hampshire to record the program's second and fourth highest all-time totals.
Mizzou in the Rankings
Opening the 2004 season ranked 24th, the Tigers have quickly ascended the national pedestal coming in with a 12th-place ranking to boast its highest ranking in Mizzou history.
Boosting the Tigers to national prominence, Mizzou is also ranked in the nation's top-20 in three-of-four events. Missouri is ranked seventh in the nation on vault owning a 49.100 average. The Tigers are also ranked seventh on beam averaging a 49.158 and floor with a 49.242 mark.
Hitting another high mark, Missouri currently leads the South Central Region as the #1 team this week. The Tigers are ranked first in the region on beam and floor, second on vault and seventh overall on bars.