Feb. 3, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The No. 7 Missouri gymnastics team returned home after a two-week absence but could not stop No. 9 Iowa State as the Cyclones bested the Tigers 196.175-195.875 on Friday night at the Hearnes Center. Seniors Jodie Heinicka and Lauren Schwartzman took home their fourth-consecutive bars and beam titles, respectively. Schwartzman claimed her second title of the night on floor as she tied for first on the event.
"Obviously we didn't get the win but we performed pretty well tonight," said Missouri head coach Rob Drass. "There were a couple landings that we have to clean up but really, what was the difference, two-tenths? That's a one or two landing difference. Two landings throughout the night is a minor detail. At this point what we're trying to do is become a real solid team, stay ranked, stay focused on what we're supposed to do and clean up as the season goes on."
Led by Heinicka's 9.850, the Tigers started strong on vault with a 48.875. Heinicka tied her career-high and tied for second on the event while Schwartzman and junior Whitney Crater both recorded a 9.775 to tie for fifth place.
Moving on to one of Mizzou's most consistent events, the Tigers did not disappoint with a 49.050 on bars. With a 9.925 for the fourth consecutive week, Heinicka, who ranks fourth nationally on the event, now owns five of the 10 best bars scores in program history. Also impressive for Missouri were senior Sarah Zigler, who tied her career-high with a 9.875 and freshman Alicia Hatcher, who set a new personal best with a 9.850 on the event.
Ranked the fourth best beam team in the country, Missouri did not disappoint as the team recorded a 49.000, the third-straight meet the Tigers have received at least a 49.000 on the event. Schwartzman anchored the beam team and recorded a 9.950 for the third time in her career and the second this season. The score also rates as the third-highest beam score in program history. Freshman Adrianne Perry tied for third-place on the event with a 9.825.
The Tigers closed out the night on floor with a 48.950. Schwartzman led Mizzou with a 9.850 while Crater and Perry scored a 9.825 and 9.800, respectively. Hatcher set her second career-high on the night with a 9.750.
"We had some really great performances," said Drass. "Our seniors are really starting to lead us. Jodie Heinicka did an outstanding job. She was our best vaulter, our best bar worker and led us off on beam really well. Bunny (Lauren Schwartzman) was fantastic. She did a great job on floor, beam and vault. The whole team is doing a wonderful job. I'm really proud of the way they're performing and handling pressure."
"Iowa State has always been a clean team," said Schwartzman. "We expected today to be a tough meet. They had one less meet than us, which is probably the reason they're ranked lower but they're a strong team. You want to go out there and win because it gives you that extra boost but this will just make us work harder."
The Tigers next hit the road for a non-conference matchup with Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. in Champaign, Ill. Mizzou will look to copy its success against the Illini last season, as the Tigers tied the highest beam score and second highest bars scores in program history.
Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total
Iowa State 49.025 48.925 49.100 49.125 196.175
Missouri 48.875 49.050 49.000 48.950 195.875
Name Vault Bars Beam Floor AA
Whitney Crater 9.775 ------ ------ 9.825
Alicia Hatcher ------ 9.850 9.775 9.750
Jodie Heinicka 9.850 9.925 9.725 ------
Ashley Khederian ------ 9.100 ------ 9.725
Katie Kluga ------ 9.600 9.725 ------
Adrianne Perry 9.675 9.800 9.825 9.800 39.100
Amanda Pezzullo 9.725 ------ 9.700 9.675
Lauren Schwartzman 9.775 ------ 9.950 9.850
Sarah Zigler 9.750 9.875 ------ ------
Vault
2. (tie). Jodie Heinicka; 5 (tie). Adrianne Whitney Crater, Lauren Schwartzman
Bars
1. Jodie Heinicka; 2. Sarah Zigler; 4. Alicia Hatcher; 5. (tie) Adrianne Perry
Beam
1. Lauren Schwartzman; 3. (tie) Adrianne Perry
Floor
1. (tie). Lauren Schwartzman; 4. (tie) Whitney Crater
All-Around
4. Adrianne Perry