Jan. 29, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - Tiger junior Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) has been named the Big 12 Event Specialist of the Week for Jan. 29 as announced by the Big 12 Conference office Tuesday. The award is given to the conference's top gymnast that does not compete in the all-around for that particular week. The honor is the first of Hatchers career and the first of the conference accolades for the Tigers this season.

Hatcher, an All-Big 12 performer from a year ago, has been one of the many bright spots in the Tiger lineup throughout the first three meets this season. After competing on both the bars and beam in the first two meets of the year, against Bowling Green and Iowa State, Hatcher earned a spot in the floor lineup in last Friday's meet against Nebraska. The meet against Nebraska proved to be her best all season.

Hatcher tied a career high on bars with a 9.875 and was just shy of her career high of 9.900 on beam as she registered a 9.875. In her first performance of the floor in 2008, Hatcher once again came very close to setting a new personal record. With a 9.725, Hatcher was just .025 off her career mark of 9.750 set last year at Pittsburgh.

Hatcher has been scoring big points for the Tigers all season long. Hatcher won both bars and beam in the home opener against Iowa State, posting a 9.825 on both events. Hatcher has been the Tigers most consistent performer on bars dating back to last season. She currently ranks 31st in the nation on bars and 36th on beam, both of which went up following her performance at Nebraska. Hatcher is in the top-10 in both events in the South Central region, ranking 3rd on bars and 7th on beam. After competing on floor against Nebraska, Hatcher was also able to crack the regional top-30 on floor, coming in right at 30.

Hatcher and the Tigers will host Illinois-Chicago this Friday at 6:30 p.m. (CT). Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. For all the latest on Mizzou Gymnastics, stay tuned to ww.mutigers.com