March 30, 2011
COLUMBIA, MO.-- The Tigers travel to Norman, Okla. for the NCAA Regional Championship this weekend. Missouri is the no. 5 seed at the meet, and will compete against Oklahoma, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Washington. The meet will be held at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., and will begin at 4 p.m.
Last Time Out...
Missouri took fourth place at the 2011 Big 12 Championship meet with a team score of 194.975. Nebraska took home the trophy, putting up a 196.775 team total. Oklahoma scored 196.500 for a second place finish and the Cyclones of Iowa State came in third with a 195.150. Junior Mary Burke recorded an all-around total of 39.300 to win the event. Senior Alex Gold came through with a season-high 9.900 on her vault to take second place in the event standings.
Last Time at NCAA Regionals...
This year marks Missouri's 10th consecutive regional appearance, and the 23rd in program history. Missouri took first at the 2009 Regional Championship in Columbia, Mo., to advance to the NCAA National Championship for the first time in program history. The Tigers hosted Oregon State, Georgia, Minnesota, Iowa, and North Carolina, and posted a score of 196.500. Senior All-American Sarah Shire took first in the All-Around competition as well.
Scouting The Opponents...
The New Hampshire Wildcats are the No. 4 seed in this weekend's Regional Championship. The Wildcats placed second in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championships, earning the 500th win for Head Coach Gail Goodspeed. New Hampshire sits just above Missouri at No. 32 in the national rankings. The team has an RQS of 194.830 and a season average of 194.402. Throughout the season, the Wildcats competed against tough competitors like No. 9 Michigan, No. 11 Penn State, No. 18 LSU and No. 20 Arizona.
The Tarheels of North Carolina sit at No. 35 in the rankings this week. The team holds an RQS of 194.830 and a season average of 195.565. As the sixth seed at the Norman Regional, the Tarheels posted their best score of the season (195.300) to win the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championships and build momentum for the Regional.
Coming in at No. 5 in the nation, the Oklahoma Sooners (17-1) are coming off of a perfect regular season, the only NCAA team to do so this year. The Sooners placed second at the Big 12 Championship last weekend, but posted a team total of 196.500. Three gymnasts won event titles at the meet as well. No. 5 Oklahoma boasts 10 wins over top 25 teams, and eight of its gymnasts are ranked in the top 25 over four events. This regional marks the seventh-straight regional that the school will attend.
Ranked seventh in the country, the Utah gymnastics team sits on the No. 2 seed at the Regional Championship. The Utes have an 8-3 record on the season, and have a 95 percent success rate on their routines this season as the team has not yet counted a fall. Utah holds an RQS of 196.570 on the season and a team average of 196.414. This regional marks the 36th-straight regional appearance for the Utes.
No. 3 seed Washington is coming into the Regional Championship with an RQS of 195.700. The 17th-ranked Huskies posted a season-high score of 196.075 to contribute to their team average of 195.368. The score also marks the team's highest score in seven years. Recently the Huskies finished third at the Pac-10 Championships, which marks their best finish ever.
Mary Burke Wins Big 12 All-Around Title...
Missouri Gymnastics hosted the Big 12 Championship meet on March 19 in the Hearnes Center. The Tigers posted a team total of 194. 975 to take fourth at the event. Junior Mary Burke earned an all-around score of 39.300 to win her first Big 12 Championship all-around title. Burke's title marks the fourth consecutive Big 12 Championship all-around title won by a Missouri gymnast. Burke also placed second on bars and fourth on floor. Senior Alex Gold placed second on vault with a score of 9.900.
Six Tigers Earn Academic Honors...
Five Tigers have been named to the 2011 Academic All-Big 12 first team and one to the second team. Juniors Mary Burke and Allie Heizelman earned first team honors along with sophomore teammates Sandra Ostad, Lauren Swankoski and Tori Howard. Senior Alex Gold was named to the All-Big 12 second team as well. This is Gold's third appearance on the academic teams, and both Burke and Heizelman have been named to the first team for the second consecutive year.
Mary Burke is an All-Big 12 Selection...
Junior Mary Burke has been named to the 2011 All-Big 12 Gymnastics team as announced Wednesday, Mar. 16, by the league office. The honor marks Burke's second year on the regular season all-conference team. Burke is one of five gymnasts in the conference to be recognized in multiple events. She received all-conference honors for her beam and all-around achievements this season. With a season and career-high score of 9.900, which she earned twice this season, Burke sits at No. 3 in the conference on the balance beam. She is one of only two gymnasts in the conference honored for her all-around competition, and the only gymnast to have received the honor for two consecutive years.
Alex Gold Nominated for AAI Award...
Senior gymnast Alex Gold has been chosen as one of the top 16 finalists nationally for the 2011 AAI Award. The award, distributed by American Athletic, Inc., is presented to recognize outstanding athletes competing for championships at all levels. Gold is one of two gymnasts in the Big 12 Conference who are among the top 16 finalists.
Mizzou in the National Polls...
The Tigers hit their highest ranking of the season on Feb. 21, coming in at No. 23 in the nation on GymInfo's national top 25 poll. The poll is based on the team's regional qualifying score (RQS), which is an average of the team's six best regular-season meet scores. Currently the Tigers boast an RQS of 194.630 and are positioned at No. 33 in the nation. Missouri also sits at No. 29 in the nation on vault, No. 31 on bars, 33rd beam and No. 29 on floor. Individually Missouri's Mary Burke is ranked 19th in the nation and first in the Big 12 conference in the all-around competition. She is also tied for No. 17 on beam. She boasts an RQS of 39.240 after recording a career-high 39.450 at the Tiger's home meet against Nebraska.
Career Achievements...
The Tigers may have had a hard-to-beat season in 2010, but the 2011 Missouri Gymnastics team is on its way to greatness this season as well. Each of the 13 gymnasts on the squad have set new and improved career-high marks this season. Sophomore Sandra Ostad has improved her personal-bests on all four events, and junior Mary Burke has topped an already superb career-high all-around score in addition to setting a new career-high on beam.
Mary Burke Earns Fifth career Big 12 Weekly Award...
Junior Mary Burke has been named Big 12 Gymnast of the Week four times this season. The most recent nomination was on Feb. 22 after Burke took the all-around title at Oklahoma. She set a career-high score on beam when she earned a 9.900 at the meet as well. Previously Burke earned the weekly shout-out on Feb. 7 after taking first in the all-around at Missouri's home dual against Nebraska. She put up a 39.450 career-high score and helped contribute to the team's highest score of the season (195.400). Burke was also named Big 12 Gymnast of the Week on Jan. 25 and Jan. 18 by the Big 12 Conference. On Jan. 25, the award came after Burke earned her second all-around title this season. Burke scored a 39.200 to top Iowa State's Michelle Shealy who put up a 39.125. The conference nod marked the third of Burke's career as she previously earned the award in January of 2010 as well. Burke led the Tigers to a 194.925-192.825 victory over SEMO on January 15 with a 39.225 all-around score. Burke took the all-around title at the event, and was named Big 12 Gymnast of the Week on Jan. 18. "It's an honor to be recognized because there are so many good gymnasts in this conference," Burke said. "The Big 12 is a tough conference and to be recognized in the second week of the season is an awesome achievement."
Tigers from Texas...
Just under half of Missouri's gymnasts headed home this season when the Tigers traveled to Dallas, Texas, for the Metroplex Challenge. Freshmen Cathryn Aliceaacosta, Alex Skinner and Katelyn Trevino all come from the Lone Star State as well as junior Allie Heizelman and senior Alex Gold. Gold was the closest to home as she hails from Plano, Texas where she trained at the Metroplex in the early days of her career. Gold qualified for the Junior Olympics in 2001, 2002 and 2006 and was the Texas State Level 10 Champion on vault in 2005.
Competing for a Cause...
The Tigers competed for a good cause at the annual Pink Out meet. For the past six years Missouri has teamed up with the University of Missouri Health Care Ellis Fischel Cancer Center to support breast cancer awareness and research. One dollar from each ticket sold went to benefit the cancer center, and the first 500 fans who arrived received a free Pink Out t-shirt. The team also honored several breast cancer survivors at the start of the meet to show their support for the cause. The survivors also served as celebrity judges for the event.
A Look at Beauty and the Beast...
The Tigers are 5-0 in Beauty and the Beast history. The event draws in an average of over 5, 000 people each year. Last year's Beauty and the Beast meet saw the Tigers host New Hampshire, while wrestling matched up against Oklahoma. The Tigers came out on top with a 195.125-192.975 victory. Shire earned her third all-around title of the season, the 16th of her career, and Mary Burke took the bars title while finishing second in the all-around. Lauren Swankoski took the third place spot.
Date Opponent Score Attendance 2/9/07 SEMO W: 194.775-192.700 6,197 2/8/08 Centenary W: 195.800-192.325 6,308 2/13/09 Illinois W: 196.625-195.000 4,147 2/6/10 New Hampshire W: 195.125-192.975 4,041 1/15/11 SEMO W: 194.925-192.825 2,553
Preseason Progress...
The Tigers clocked in at No. 13 on GymInfo's 2011 Women's Preseason Coaches Poll released on Dec. 1. Missouri will face nine ranked opponents this season including No. 12 LSU, No. 10 Nebraska, No. 2 Alabama, and No. 4 Oklahoma, among others. Mizzou sits above Big 12 opponent Iowa State, who came in at No. 22 in the poll. Missouri finished the 2010 season at No. 12, their highest end-of-season ranking in program history.
Senior Solo...
Senior Alex Gold is holding down the fort as Mizzou Gymnastics' only senior this season. She had a promising start to the year, leading the Black Squad to a win over the Gold at the annual Black and Gold Intrasquad meet. She pulled in a 38.325 all-around score, which was the highest at the meet. The Tigers graduated four seniors after the 2010 season to leave the leadership position to Gold. The Plano, Texas native stands as one of Missouri's top vaulters. At one point in the 2010 season Gold sat at No. 9 in the Big 12 and No. 43 in the nation on vault. She has a 9.925 career high on the event, which she tallied during her sophomore season. She earned a tie for a second place finish on vault at the Columbia Regional in 2010 where she also earned a season high 9.900 on the event.
Continuing the Success...
Junior Mary Burke is looking to continue her success this year. As one of two juniors on the team this season, Burke will prove a strong competitor. She was ranked at No. 27 in the nation in the All-Around last season and held the No. 2 spot in the conference behind Sarah Shire. At NCAA Regionals Burke matched her career-high 9.850 score on vault and finished tied for third on beam. With a long list of achievements under her belt already, Burke hopes to continue her success in 2011.
Banner Season...
Mizzou Gymnastics had one of the most decorated seasons in program history in 2010. The Tigers finished third at the Big 12 Championship and advanced to NCAA Regionals where they snagged a first place finish. Missouri continued on to the NCAA National Championship for the first time in program history. Sarah Shire also finished the 2010 season with a lot of hardware. The four-time All-American stands as Missouri's most decorated gymnast after taking home two straight Big 12 All-Around titles, a second place floor finish at Nationals and a fifth place finish on vault at Nationals as well. She was named NCAA South Central Region's Gymnast of the Year and Co-Big 12 Gymnast of the year for the second consecutive year. Shire holds the school record of 11 All-Around titles in a single season and is also the only gymnast to earn a spot on all five all-conference teams. Throughout her career, Shire was named Big 12 Gymnast of the Week 13 times, which is the most in conference history.
Tigers Welcome Three...
Missouri Gymnastics welcomes three new additions for the 2012 season. Evansville, Ind. native, Laura Kappler, will join the Tigers as a walk-on next season. Kappler trained at Revolution Gymnastics under coach Carly Cresswell-Watson. Rachel Updike and Colleen Mulcahy have signed National letters of Intent to join the Mizzou Gymnastics family. Updike is a native of Olathe, Kan. where she trained at Kansas Gymnastics, and Cheer. She competed as both a Level 10 and Elite gymnast. Mulcahy comes to Mizzou from Orland Park, Ill. where she trained at Arena Gymnastics under the direction of Dan and Beth Miller.
Season Recaps
Black and Gold Intrasquad
Black 151.750, Gold 151.225
The Tigers' annual Black and Gold Intrasquad meet was held on Dec. 10 to give Mizzou a chance to get out of the gym and compete in front of judges before the regular season begins. The Black Squad took the win with a 151.750-151.225 final score. Missouri's only senior, Alex Gold, led the Black Squad with her 38.325 all-around total. Gold led the Black Squad in three out of the four rotations. She finished with a 9.875 on vault, 9.650 on bars and a 9.700 on beam. She closed out her fourth rotation with a 9.100 on floor. Sophomore Lauren Swankoski shone for the Gold Squad at the Black and Gold Meet. She came in just under Alex Gold on the vault with a 9.800. She recorded the same on beam, and she finished the evening with a 9.850 on her floor routine. Sophomore Lauren Swankoski shone for the Gold Squad at tonight's meet. She came in just under Alex Gold on the vault with a 9.800. She recorded the same on beam, and she finished the evening with a 9.850 on her floor routine.
Cancun Classic vs. West Virginia
L, 194.500-191.575
The first meet of 2011 found Missouri across the border in Cancun, Mexico for the Cancun Classic. After taking an early lead after the first rotation, the Tigers struggled to keep up with the Mountaineers. Missouri held off West Virginia until the third rotation when the Mountaineers took the lead by one point. Alex Gold placed third in the all-around with a score of 38.150. Sophomore Sandra Ostad topped her career high on bars with a score of 9.775. The score earned her a first place spot in the meet.
Beauty and the Beast vs. SEMO
W, 194.925-192.825
Missouri rebounded from its season opener with a victory over SEMO at Beauty and the Beast. In their home arena, the Tigers scored a 194.925 to top SEMO's 192.825. Junior Mary Burke took the all-around title scoring a 39.225, just over Alex Gold's 38.875. The Tigers took the lead in the meet after the first rotation, holding it the entire meet. Tori Howard and Taylor Medrea earned career high scores on floor, and Gold set hers on bars. Head Coach Rob Drass was satisfied with the team's performance at the meet. "I'm very happy with that score," Drass said. "I'd rather lose with a good score like that than to win without scoring so well."
Iowa State
L, 195.250-194.550
Missouri went from one Beauty and the Beast meet to another, traveling to Ames Iowa to face the Cyclones. While the gymnasts were competing, the Iowa State wrestling team took on Oklahoma. Missouri put up a tough competition, recording one of their highest scores yet on the season (194.550), however it wasn't enough to top Iowa State. Mary Burke earned her second all-around title this season, scoring 39.200. The title marks the third of her career. The Tigers kept their scores close to the Cyclones throughout the entire meet, and in the third rotation the Tigers were only down by a fraction of a point. Despite a solid run on beam by Missouri in the fourth rotation, the Cyclones came out on top with a score of 195.250.
Metroplex Challenge vs. Alabama, Nebraska, LSU
L, 193.400 (4th/4)
The Tigers escaped the cold at the end of January to travel to Dallas, Texas where the team competed in the Metroplex Challenge. Held at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the meet put Missouri up against some of the nation's top teams, No. 24 LSU, No. 10 Nebraska and No. 6 Alabama. Missouri put up a final team score of 193.400 to take fourth in the meet. Mary Burke matched her career high 9.875 on beam, and freshman Katelyn Trevino posted a 9.750 on her first career bars routine. Alabama took first at the meet, posting a 196.825. Big 12 foe Nebraska came in at No. 2 with a 195.600.
Nebraska
L, 196.075-195.400
Missouri hosted Big 12 foe Nebraska at the season's first home dual meet. The Tigers put up most of their best scores this season, earning a team total 195.400. It wasn't enough to come out above Nebraska who scored a 196.075, but Missouri junior Mary Burke took the all-around title with a career-high 39.450. She also took the bars title with a 9.875, and she earned a 9.850 on beam to take second. Burke tied for the floor title with sophomore teammate Lauren Swankoski. The two earned season-high scores of 9.900. The Tigers earned season high team scores on vault (49.050), beam (48.925) and floor (49.250) to finish with one of their best team totals yet.
Oklahoma
L, 196.425-195.225
Missouri traveled to Norman, Okla., to face the Sooners on Feb. 18. The Tigers put up one of their highest team scores of the season despite falling 196.425-195.225 to Oklahoma. Junior Mary Burke took the all-around title with a score of 39.275 and Alex Gold earned second place recognition in the competition as well. Burke improved on her career-high beam score with a 9.900 on the event, and Allie Heizelman posted a 9.875 to improve her career-record as well. The Tigers put up a season-high score on beam, recording a 49.075 on the event. Lauren Swankoski earned third place recognition on vault, and Burke placed second on beam and third on bars.
Southern Utah
W, 194.925-193.750
The Tigers hosted the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in February, picking up another win for the season. Missouri won the meet 194.925-193.750 to improve to 2-8 on the season. Missouri took all four event titles at the meet, and freshman Taylor Medrea and Cathryn Aliceaacosta both set career high scores on bars and vault, respectively. Tori Howard also improved on her career-high floor score with a 9.875. The score earned her the floor title at the meet. Alex Gold took the vault title at the meet with a 9.825 score, and Allie Heizelman recorded a 9.850 on bars to take first as well. Heizelman came in first on beam as well with Mary Burke right behind in second place. The two scored 9.850 and 9.825, respectively.
Centenary, Temple and SEMO
194.775 (1st/4)
Missouri welcomed Centenary, SEMO and Temple to the Hearnes Center for a quad meet on Mar. 4. The Tigers posted a score of 194.775 to take first at the meet, which also marked Senior Night, honoring Alex Gold. Sophomore Lauren Swankoski hit a career-high all-around score (39.225) to tie for the title with junior Mary Burke. Missouri also recorded a season-high team score on beam (49.150) and several Tigers hit season-high scores throughout the meet. The lone senior Gold was one of the standouts at the meet, posting a career-high 9.825 on beam. Allie Heizelman put up a 9.875 to match her career-high, and Burke scored 9.900 to match hers as well.
Ohio State
193.325 (2nd/3)
Missouri traveled to Columbus, Ohio, for a meet against the Buckeyes of Ohio State and the Panthers of Pittsburgh. The Tigers took second place with a score of 193.325. Ohio State came in first with a 196.100 and Pittsburgh finished third with a 193.325. Junior Mary Burke took the vault title with a score of 9.825, and Lauren Swankoski hit her second-highest score of the season in the all-around (38.475). Burke also placed second on beam and in the all-around. It took the Tigers three rotation to pull ahead of the Panthers, but in the third rotation Missouri was able to record a 48.675 on floor to move into second place. The Tigers had their best run of the meet on vault in the fourth rotation, where they put up a score of 48.825.
Big 12 Championship
194.975 (4th/4)
Missouri took a fourth place finish at the 2011 Big 12 Championship meet. The Tigers posted a team score of 194.975. The Nebraska Cornhuskers took home the trophy putting up a 196.775 team total. Oklahoma scored 196.500 for a second place finish and the Cyclones of Iowa State came in third with a 195.150. Junior Mary Burke recorded an all-around total of 39.300 to win the event. Senior Alex Gold came through with a season-high 9.900 on her vault to take second place medal in the event standings. Missouri's performance in the meet helped them earn a No. 5 seed at the South Central Regional in Norman, Okla. The Tigers will compete against Oklahoma for the third time this season, as well as New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Washington.