March 5, 2006
Results
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Competing in its second meet in three days, the No. 9 Missouri gymnastics team took first place at the Southeast Missouri State's Outback Invitational with a 195.550 on Sunday afternoon in Cape Girardeau, Mo. SEMO finished in second with a 191.975, Centenary claimed third with a 188.775 and in fourth place was Ball State with a 187.325.
In addition to the team title, Missouri (11-8, 0-3 Big 12) gymnasts claimed all four event titles and the all-around. Freshman Adrianne Perry scored a 39.100 to claim the all-around title and tied junior Whitney Crater for the floor title with a 9.775. Crater also won the vault title with a 9.850 while Freshman Alicia Hatcher and senior Jodie Heinicka both scored a 9.825 on bars to tie for first and senior Lauren Schwartzman took the beam title with a 9.900.
"I thought we performed about as well as we have been on the road all season," said Missouri head coach Rob Drass. "The scores weren't quite where we wanted them but I'm proud of the girls for coming out here and competing the way they did."
Starting on floor for the first time this season, the Tigers scored a 48.650 for the second straight meet. Junior Whitney Crater and freshman Adrianne Perry both notched a 9.775 to lead the Tigers. Hatcher scored a 9.725 for fourth while junior Amanda Pezzullo notched a 9.700 for fifth.
Moving next to vault, Schwartzman and senior Sarah Zigler and Pezzullo scored 9.800s in Mizzou's first three routines to tie for third place. Crater earned a 9.850 as the Tigers bounced back and posted a 49.025 on the event. The score marked the second-consecutive meet and third time this season Missouri earned a 49 or better on vault.
Led by 9.825s on bars by Hatcher and senior Jodie Heinicka, the Tigers posted a 48.900 in the third rotation. Hatcher and Heinicka both tied for the event title, which marks Heinicka's ninth total of the season and the first of Hatcher's career. Zigler finished in third place with a 9.775. Sophomore Julie Abaray claimed fourth and Perry took fifth with a 9.775 and 9.725, respectively, as the Tigers swept the first five places.
Missouri claimed the first five finishers on beam as well in the fourth and final rotation with a 48.900 on the event. Schwartzman, the nation's second ranked beam worker, pulled down a 9.900 to win her eighth beam title of 2006. Perry finished in second with a 9.825 while Pezzullo notched a 9.800 for third place. Sophomore Katie Kluga scored a 9.700 for fourth while Heinicka took fifth with a 9.700.
The Tigers hit the road again next weekend for a meet against Iowa on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. Mizzou then closes out the regular season at home on Friday, March 17 at the in a rematch against SEMO as the Tigers will honor seniors Jodie Heinicka, Lauren Schwartzman and Sarah Zigler in their last meet at the Hearnes Center.