Feb. 28, 2005

Columbia, Mo. -Missouri junior Lauren Schwartzman was named this week's Lathrop & Gage student-athlete of the week for her exceptional contributions to the women's gymnastics team, combined with her strengths in the classroom and time spent in the local community.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Schwartzman is a fitness and nutrition major and holds a 3.22 grade-point average. Throughout the course of the 2005 season, Schwartzman helped her team to a key victory over Illinois and also a first place finish at the Callaway Bank Cat Classic. Individually, Schwartzman is ranked among the top 20 gymnasts in the nation and has tied for, or finished first, on every beam event this season. Competing in the Callaway Bank Cat Classic over the weekend, Schwartzman took first place honors with her beam routine for the second consecutive year.

Giving her time to the local community, Schwartzman is a valuable member of the Voluntary Action Center-Holiday Family Sponsor Program, Columbia Public Schools Voluntary program and helped with the Student Athletic Advisory Council Canned Food.

The women's gymnastics team will take on Southeast Missouri State, Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m., in the Hearnes Center. For ticket information to any of Missouri's upcoming sporting events, visit the website at www.mutigers.com or call 1-800-CAT-PAWS.