April 18, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - Working towards the ever present goal of reaching national prominence, the Mizzou Tiger gymnastics team stepped out this season proving to be the team Head Coach Rob Drass knew it could be. The Tigers fought through the rigors of an uncertain 2005 season to earn a place in the spotlight finishing as the 14th finest program in the country.
Despite a rocky start that saw the Tigers bounce around the national rankings, Mizzou's solid performance throughout the majority of the season firmly established it in the GymInfo National Top-25 for the fourth consecutive year. Mizzou's 14th-place finish marks the Tigers' highest post season standing since the 1981 season when the Tigers advanced to the National Championship.
Working their way to No. 14, the Tigers rounded out a successful 2005 regular season with a solid performance at the 2005 Big 12 Championship. Despite a fourth-place finish, Mizzou's score rallied the Tigers to a 195.235 Regional Qualifying Score to bump Missouri into the national top-20. The mark additionally qualified the Tigers to advance into NCAA postseason competition for the fourth season under Coach Drass where the Tigers faced #6 Nebraska, #8 Michigan, #18 Arizona, #29 Arizona State and #33 Illinois in the South Central Regional.
Despite facing what some would consider an intimidating lineup, the South Central Regional draw proved advantageous as Missouri finished third scoring a 195.100. In addition to boosting the Tigers' ranking, the feat also marks the Tigers' highest Regional finish since 1984.
Opening the meet with a bye rotation, the Tigers started off on the uneven bars in the second round. Giving the Tigers an additional leg up, Missouri followed behind Michigan and Nebraska throughout the meet.
Conquering old demons in their first rotation, the Tigers quickly put last season's regional bar debacle behind them. Mizzou opened the meet recording it second highest bar score of the season with a 48.950. Freshmen Ashley Khederian and Julie Abaray got Mizzou's energy churning posting a 9.625 and 9.700, respectively. Keeping the momentum, Kelley Andersen followed scoring a 9.750 to gear up for the three consecutive 9.8+ performances. Alisha Robinson and Sarah Zigler both delivered 9.825 showings while junior Jodie Heinicka rounded out the Tiger lineup flashing a 9.850 routine.
Shining for the Tigers on beam, junior Lauren Schwartzman led Mizzou scoring a 9.850 to tie for fourth overall on the apparatus. Senior Rachael Dombart followed scoring a 9.725, Andersen and Amanda Pezzullo each delivered 9.575 routines and Robinson scored a 9.450 to rally a 48.175 team total and a fourth-place standing following three rotations.
Following a bye rotation, Mizzou got back on track scoring a 49.200 on floor to move into third-place with a 146.300 three-event total. Schwartzman again highlighted the Tigers' performance scoring a 9.900 to tie for second overall on the event. Bolstering the Tiger tally, Robinson scored a 9.875, Andersen added a 9.825 while Khederian and Whitney Crater delivered 9.800 performances.
Rounding out the meet on vault, the Tigers showcased their talents scoring a 48.800. Zigler led the Tigers off scoring a 9.700 followed by a 9.625 showing from Heinicka. Crater added a 9.775 to the Mizzou cause while Schwartzman was second on the team scoring a 9.800. Shining on her signature event, Robinson scored a 9.900 to top the Tigers and tie for second overall on the apparatus.
Competing as the Tigers' only all-arounder, Robinson scored a 39.050 to finish fifth and earn advancement to the NCAA Championships as an individual all-around qualifier. This marks the seniors' third NCAA finals appearance.
Seeing success mount throughout the year as both a team and as individuals, the Tiger program looks to build upon the successes of the 2005 season. Overcoming the instability of a new scoring system to find its own rhythm, Mizzou looks to utilize its recent experience as it advances toward its goal of reaching the NCAA Championship next season.