Dec. 2, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri women's gymnastics team is ranked No. 16 in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll, which marks the Tigers' highest preseason ranking in school history. Mizzou kicks off the 2006 campaign with the annual Black and Gold meet on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center.

Defending National Champion Georgia earned the poll's top spot with 15 first place votes while Utah, UCLA, Alabama and Michigan round out the top five.

The Tigers look to build upon last season's No. 14 final ranking and third-place finish at the NCAA South Regional with a school-record 195.100 at the event. Heralded freshmen Alicia Hatcher and Adrianne Perry join nine returning letterwinners in Missouri's quest to make the 2006 National Championships in Corvallis, Ore.

Missouri faces seven programs ranked in the Top 25 this season, including Big 12 Conference rivals No. 8 Nebraska, No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 11 Iowa State. In addition, the Tigers will meet non-conference foes #4 Alabama, #7 LSU, #15 Auburn and #20 Arkansas.

Mizzou opens the 2006 regular season on Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Super Six Challenge against Alabama, Auburn, Iowa State, Nebraska and host LSU. ESPN2 will air the meet on tape delay on Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. CT.

Season tickets for the 2006 season are available by purchasing the Mizzou Spirit Pass. For more information, please call the Missouri Athletic Department Ticket Office at 884-PAWS.

GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Georgia (15)
2. Utah (5)
3. UCLA (3)
4. Alabama (2)
5. Michigan
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Nebraska
9. Stanford
10. Oklahoma
11. Iowa State
12. Penn State
13. Oregon
14. Arizona State
15. Auburn
16. Missouri
17. Arizona
18. Washington
19. BYU
20. Arkansas
21. Denver
22. North Carolina
23. Kentucky
24. Minnesota
25. New Hampshire