Dec. 10, 2009

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Although the regular season does not officially begin until January, fans will get their chance to see the 16th ranked 2009-2010 squad as they compete in the Black and Gold exhibition meet tomorrow, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. in Hearnes Center.

The entire squad will be in action, including top returner Sarah Shire, who had a record-breaking 2009 season winning 10 all-around titles. The senior capped it off earning All-America first team honors at the National Championships last April. Sophomore Mary Burke, another big name returning for the Tigers, made a strong push for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last season and is expected to once again put up big scores throughout the season.

This year's Black squad is comprised of senior Brooke Boehmer (Overland Park, Kan.), senior Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.), sophomore Tara Foster (Owasso, Okla.), sophomore Allie Heizelman (Cypress, Texas), freshman Brittany Bendoff (Long Grove, Ill.) and freshman Lauren Swankoski (Chadds Ford, Pa.).

Their intrasquad competition, the Gold squad, is made up of senior Danielle Guider (Nutley, N.J.), senior Becky Scholle (Chesterfield, Mo.), junior Alex Gold (Plano, Texas), sophomore Mary Burke (Inverness, Ill.) and freshman Tori Howard (Chesterfield, Mo.).

The Black and Gold meet will be an important test for the Tigers before the regular season gets under way on Jan. 8, in the Hearnes Center against Ohio State.

Admission to the exhibition meet is free and open to the public. Ticket information and sales for the season are available through the Missouri Athletic Ticket Office by calling (573) 884-PAWS or 1-800-CAT-PAWS.

Stay tuned to mutigers.com for the latest information on the Missouri gymnastics team.