Feb. 1, 2012
Columbia, Mo.-- Missouri Gymnastics welcomes the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Friday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hearnes Center. Ranked at No. 17 in the Nation, Missouri looks to continue its four-meet win streak this weekend.
Last Time Out
Then ranked at No. 20 in the nation, Mizzou upset then No. 4 Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. on Jan. 28. Missouri scored a season-high 195.725 at the meet to top Nebraska who put up a 194.550. The Tigers have not won a regular season meet against Nebraska since 1995. Freshman Rachel Updike took two event titles at the meet, and Mary Burke took second in the all-around. Burke set a new career-high score on the vault, and Updike set a new career-high on vault as well.
Series History
The Tigers and the Wolfpack have met up four times in program history, and one of those times was in the post season. Missouri leads the series 2-1 in regular season meets. The two teams last saw each other at the 1995 Corvette Cup. The Tigers won the meet, 191.150 and the Wolfpack posted a 191.000. Also in attendance at the meet was Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
Scouting NC State
The Wolfpack is 2-2 on the season, with wins over BYU and Illinois-Chicago. NC State is coming to Missouri off of a loss at No. 5 Oklahoma, however. The team boasts a season high score of 194.675, which was reached in its first meet of the season against the Florida Gators. NC State gymnast Brooke Barr was recently named EAGL Gymnast of the Week for her performance at the Wolfpack's win against Illinois-Chicago.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Tigers head to Chicago on Feb. 10. The Tigers will be one of four teams competing at the IGI Chicago Style Invite at Navy Pier. Missouri hosts back-to-back home meets on Feb. 17 and 24th, welcoming No. 5 Oklahoma and Bowling Green. Missouri's meet against Oklahoma will also be broadcast on the Mizzou Sports Network.
Quick Hits
• Missouri is now 3-0 against ranked opponents as the Tigers knocked off No. 24 Iowa State on Jan. 8, No. 16 Denver on Jan. 20 and No. 4 Nebraska on Jan. 28. Two of the wins have been upsets.
• Rachel Updike has been named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for four consecutive weeks, marking the first time that Missouri has earned this award in consecutive weeks, and the first time any gymnast has earned a weekly award four weeks in a row.
• The Tigers are on their way to one of the best starts in program history. Should Missouri win against NC State, the team will be 5-0 to start the season, which matches Missouri's 5-0 start in 2010.
•Freshman Rachel Updike has been named to CollegeSports360's Primetime Performers Honor Roll twice this season. Senior Mary Burke earned the honor most recently on Jan. 31 also.
•Mizzou Gymnastics plans to host a golf tournament in April. Anyone interested in participating can contact Jennifer Green.