Feb. 27, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - For the second-straight week, the Missouri gymnastics team is ranked No. 9 in the GymInfo National Top-25 Poll. The Tigers' ranking marks the fifth week this season and seventh time in program history the Tigers rank in the top-10. Additionally, Mizzou moved up two spots in the team balance beam rankings and is now tied with No. 1 Georgia as the nation's best beam team.

For the fourth week this season, all four Big 12 Conference schools are ranked in the top-10. Iowa State moved up two spots to fifth, Oklahoma is sixth and Nebraska comes in at 10th.

On an individual level, seniors Jodie Heinicka and Lauren Schwartzman both rank second nationally on different events. Heinicka is tied for second on bars while Schwartzman sits alone at second on the balance beam and also ranks tied for 32nd on floor. Freshman Adrianne Perry ranks 15th in the country in the all-around, tied for 28th on floor and tied for 35th on beam. Junior Whitney Crater is tied for 22nd on floor and ranks 41st on vault while junior Amanda Pezzullo and freshman Alicia Hatcher are tied for 37th and 49th on beam, respectively.

The Tigers host Centenary on Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in the Hearnes Center before traveling to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for a meet against Ball State, Centenary and host Southeast Missouri State on Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m.

GymInfo National Poll (Feb. 27)
1. Georgia (196.965)
2. Florida (196.170)
3. Utah (196.160)
4. Alabama (196.100)
5. Iowa State (196.050)
6. Oklahoma (196.005)
7. LSU (195.955)
8. UCLA (195.850)
9. Missouri (195.780)
10. Nebraska (195.670)
11. Michigan (195.620)
12. Stanford (195.585)
13. Auburn (195.340)
14. Arizona (195.170)
15. Arizona State (194.945)
16. Oregon State (194.755)
17. Penn State (194.690)
18. Denver (194.605)
19. Kentucky (194.580)
20. Arkansas (193.895)
21. Illinois-Champaign (193.685)
22. Minnesota (193.595)
23. Michigan State (193.205)
24. West Virginia (193.190)
25. Ohio State (193.105)