University of Missouri
Iowa State
No. 18 Gymnastics Finishes Fourth at Cancun Classic
1/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Jan. 6, 2007
Jan. 5, 2007
CANCUN, Mexico - In its season debut, the No. 18 Missouri gymnastics team started slow but finished strong to score a 192.625 and finish in fourth place at the Cancun Classic in Cancun, Mexico, on Friday night. No. 13 Iowa State took the top spot with a 195.650, while No. 20 Auburn notched a 194.150 and BYU posted a 194.025 to finish in second and third, respectively.
"I think we were a little rusty to start the meet," said Missouri head coach Rob Drass. "It took us awhile to kick the rust but we gradually improved as the meet went along. We just have to handle our nerves better and make a few small changes."
Mizzou started the meet on bars, where the squad scored a 47.550, led by 9.675s from juniors Ashley Khederian and Katie Kluga. On beam in the second rotation, sophomore Adrianne Perry paced the Tigers with a 9.825 and Kluga scored a career high 9.800 on the event.
The Tigers bounced back on floor to post a 48.575, led by junior Julie Abaray's 9.800. Perry scored a 9.750 while Khederian and sophomore Alicia Hatcher each received a 9.700.
Mizzou continued to improve as the meet progressed as the squad scored a 48.750 on vault in its final rotation. Senior Amanda Pezzullo tied for second place with a 9.875. Fellow senior Whitney Crater and Khederian notched 9.750s while freshman Danielle Guider scored a 9.700.
Missouri opens the home portion of their schedule with the third annual Pink Out against Illinois on Friday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Hearnes Center. For one night, the Tigers will don pink leotards in honor of the meet, which helps raise proceeds and awareness for breast cancer awareness. The first 500 fans will receive pink t-shirts. Each of the past two years, the Pink Out raised over $1,600 for the University of Missouri Healthcare Ellis Fischel Caner Center.
Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total
Iowa State 49.050 48.650 49.200 48.700 195.600
Auburn 48.900 47.900 49.125 48.225 194.150
BYU 48.375 48.525 48.975 48.100 194.025
Missouri 48.750 47.550 47.850 48.575 192.725
