Jan. 30, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - After posting a 195.350 in Lincoln, Neb. last Friday, the No. 15 Tiger Gymnastics squad will look to carry that momentum into a two-meet home stand, starting this Friday against Illinois-Chicago at the Hearnes Center at 6:30 p.m. (CT). Doors will open at 5:30.
The Tigers are coming off of their most complete meet of the season against Nebraska. Despite losing to the Huskers, the Tigers posted season highs on three of the four events, hitting a 49.100 on the balance beam. Junior Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) led the Tigers on the beam, tying for second with a 9.875. For her performance on beam, as well as bars and floor where she posted a 9.875 and a 9.725, respectively, Hatcher earned the Big 12 Event Specialist of the Week honor.
Hatcher, along with teammates Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.) and Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.) will look to build upon their best performance of the season in Lincoln. Perry placed second in the all-around with a 39.450, just behind nine-time All-American Emily Parsons who posted a 39.525. Shire, along with senior Ashley Khederian (Carlisle, Mass.) also put up scores higher than 39.000 in the all-around. Shire tallied a 39.175 while Khederian earned a career high of 39.125 on her birthday.
The Tigers have also received some key contributions from a pair of young event specialists. Freshman Alex Gold (Plano, Texas) has been one of the top vaulters in the nation in her first year with the Tigers. Gold has posted at least a 9.800 in all three meets this season and has hit 9.850 twice. Gold currently ranks 30th in the nation on vault. Sophomore Brooke Boehmer (Overland Park, Kan.) has also played a huge roll in the Tigers success in 2008. Boehmer, who spent her freshman campaign recovering from a torn ACL has been a big contributor on beam where she set a new career best of 9.850 in Nebraska. Boehmer currently ranks 76th in the nation on beam.
The UIC Flames enter the meet ranked 52nd in the nation and 12th out of 12 teams in the South Central region. Led by junior all-arounder and Missouri native Annie Kachman, the Flames will be in search of their second victory of the year as they come into the meet at 1-2.
With another big score on Friday, the Tigers will come one step closer to cracking the top-10. Doors for the meet will open at 5:30 as fans will be encouraged to arrive early to cheer on the Tigers. For all the latest on Mizzou Gymnastics, stay tuned to www.mutigers.com.