Jan. 30, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri redshirt freshman Joey Garrity and sophomore Lisa Puccio were named this week's Lathrop & Gage Varsity M Student-Athletes of the Week for their exceptional contributions to their respective athletic teams, combined with their strengths in the classroom and time spent in the local community.

A native of Orion, Ill, Garrity is a member of the No. 12 Mizzou wrestling squad. A pre-med major, Garrity holds a 3.33 grade-point average. As a redshirt last season, he finished third at the Missouri Open at 174 pounds after recording five wins on the day. Garrity also took home fourth-place finishes at the Missouri Valley and Roger Denker opens. This season, Garrity wrestles behind Ben Asken at 174 points, who is the nation's top wrestler in the weight class and a two-time All-American. The squad holds an 8-5 record on the season after a close 21-18 loss to No. 5 Nebraska on Sunday, Jan. 29.

Puccio, business major with a 9.735 grade-point average, is a member of the No. 7 Missouri gymnastics team. A bars specialist, Puccio was in the lineup against No. 17 Arkansas on Jan. 13 and performed an exhibition routine at Centenary on Jan. 20. On the season, the Tigers earned their highest ever ranking at No. 7 this week. In addition to her work in the gym, Puccio participated in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee food drive, The Shelter Half-Marathon Challenge and volunteers at the Englewood Children's Center in St. Louis, Mo.

The wrestling team will next host Oklahoma on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. in the Hearnes Center. During the event, the Tigers will hold Senior Day to honor the three senior wrestlers on the squad. The gymnastics team returns to action on Friday, Feb. 3 for a home meet against No. 9 Iowa State at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center.