Sept. 2, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's gymnastics squad, under the direction of fifth-year Head Coach Rob Drass, has once again performed well in the classroom. The Tigers are one of 64 teams nationally to earn 2005 National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches (NACGC/W) Academic Team honors, which marks the fifth straight year the squad has been recognized. Additionally, four student-athletes earned spots on the 2005 NACGC/W Academic Scholar Athlete Team.

Tigers who earned NACGC/W Academic Scholar Athlete accolades include juniors Alicia Gilmore (St. Charles, Mo. / All-American Gymnastics) and Amanda Pezzullo (Wheaton, Ill. / Illinois Gymnastics Institute) and sophomores Julie Abaray (Cincinnati, Ohio / Queen City Gymnastics) and Lisa Puccio (Kirkwood, Mo. / Gym Quarters). Gilmore was also named to the team in 2004.

With four individual selections in 2005, student-athletes have earned NACGC/W Academic Scholar Athlete nods 19 times in six years under Drass' tutelage.

To be eligible for consideration, a scholar-athlete must post a 3.50 GPA or higher during the full academic year or maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.