Jan. 17, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri women's gymnastics team shares the No. 11 ranking with LSU in the latest GymInfo National Top 25 Poll, a three spot improvement from last week's No. 14 ranking. The rankings are based on average scores the first seven weeks of the season and will go to the regional qualifying score beginning Feb. 20. If this week's poll was based on highest scores, as was the case for the season's second week in previous years, Missouri would rank eighth in the nation.

After opening the 2006 campaign with a sixth-place finish at the Super Six Challenge against then No. 4 Alabama, No. 7 LSU, No. 8 Nebraska, No. 11 Iowa State and No. 15 Auburn, the Tigers posted an impressive 195.100-192.225 victory over No. 17 Arkansas on Friday, Jan. 13 at the Hearnes Center.

Individually, senior Jodie Heinicka ranks first in the South Central region and sixth nationally on bars while freshman Adrienne Perry is third in the region and tied for 10th nationally in the all-around. Additionally, senior Lauren Schwartzman ranks as the sixth best beam worker in the South Central region.

The Tigers next face Air Force and host Centenary on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. CT in Shreveport, La. before heading to Lincoln, Neb. for a showdown with Big 12 Conference rival Nebraska on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:00 p.m. CT.

GymInfo Top 25 For Jan. 16
1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. Utah
4. Alabama
5. Stanford
6. Nebraska
7. Penn State
8. Florida
9. Auburn
10. Iowa State
11. Missouri
11. LSU
13. UCLA
14. Arizona
15. Kentucky
16. Oklahoma
17. Arizona State
18. Denver
19. Minnesota
20. North Carolina
21. Oregon State
22. Washington
23. Western Michigan
24. Arkansas
25. Michigan State