University of Missouri
Eastern Michigan
Tigers Take First at Eagle Invitational
3/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
March 7, 2009
Ypsilanti, Mich. - Battling a loud Michigan crowd and a series of judging inquiries, the No. 13 Missouri Tigers overcame the obstacles to win their second quad meet of the season with a score of 195.700, their fourth-highest tally of the year.
Junior Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.) won her eighth all-around title of the season with a 39.375, including a 9.825 to take a share of the beam title. Freshman Mary Burke took third with a 39.025, as well as her own share of the beam title.
The Tigers took on a new rotation for the night, starting on balance beam and ending on the uneven bars. And Missouri started fast with a 48.925 on the beam to get things started. Burke led off the night with steady feet and a strong routine for a 9.825 to match her season high and take a share of the title. Junior Danielle Guider (Nutley, N.J.) followed that with a solid routine of her own and a 9.725. Junior specialist Brooke Boehmer (Overland Park, Kan.) put together a steady routine for a 9.775. Senior Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) contributed a 9.775 in another big routine, while Shire closed up the night with her own 9.825 to take a share of the crown and finish the Tiger total.
The Tigers turned up the volume on floor — posting a 49.050. Sophomore Alex Gold (Plano, Texas) got the floor show going with a 9.775, while Hatcher followed with a 9.700. Burke stepped up with a 9.775, and Shire's big showing garnered a 9.850. But Perry put on the flashiest show of the night for a 9.900 to tie her season high and lead the Tigers.
Going into the third rotation and their strongest event, Missouri found themselves on top of the competition with a 97.975. Central Michigan was in second, Kent State in third and host Eastern Michigan in fourth place.
The vault has been the Tigers' biggest event of the season, and they kept that momentum with a 49.025 for the night. Guider and junior Becky Scholle (Chesterfield, Mo.) started Missouri strong with a pair of 9.750's. Burke upped the game, scoring a 9.850 to tie her season high, while Gold followed with another big vault and a 9.800. Perry gave the Tigers a 9.800 with a solid performance, while Shire closed off another strong showing with a 9.825.
Headed into the final rotation, the uneven bars for the Tigers, Missouri remained on top by just over two-tenths of a point; the standings remained the same.
But the Tigers were ready to push on bars, bringing the heat for a 48.700 total to end the night. Scholle started it off with a 9.700, while Burke added a 9.575 to the Tiger total. Perry contributed a 9.75 on a solid routine, while Shire totaled the Tiger's biggest score on the event and the second highest overall, a 9.875. Hatcher finished the Tigers off with a 9.800.
The Tigers are now 11-1 at quad meets this season. This is their third first place finish, and their second in a row; Missouri took first place at last week's Cat Classic by a score of 195.275. Missouri returns home for its final home meet of the year and Senior Night, 6:30 p.m. next Friday, in a matchup with No. 9 Oregon State. This will be the last home meet for Perry and Hatcher, both seniors, as well as junior Liz Straatmann (Villa Ridge, Mo.). Tickets are just $2; doors open at 5 p.m.
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