Nov. 11, 2004

Columbia, Mo.--The Mizzou gymnastics program announces the signing of two top caliber Missouri natives in Adrianne Perry and Alicia Hatcher. Both athletes train at the prestigious Great American Gymnastics Express in Blue Springs, Mo.--the same gym training Tiger All-American Alisha Robinson and 2004 Olympic Silver Medalists' Terin Humphrey and Courtney McCool.

"We didn't have to go far to find some of the finest talent in the nation," Missouri Head Coach Rob Drass said. "We are thrilled to have Missouri two athletes join our program. Adrianne and Alicia are exactly the kind of athletes that can help our program reach the next level. We are confident that their experience and talents can make a great impact on our program."

Adrianne Perry
Columbia, Mo.
Blue Springs HS
Swept the 2004 Missouri Junior State Championship winning the vault title and tying to win the bars, beam, floor and all-around titles with teammate Alicia Hatcher ... duplicated the feat claiming five first-place finishes at the 2004 Regional Championship ... rounded out the 2004 competitive season at the U.S. Junior National Championship placing fifth on bars, sixth in the all-around, sixth on beam and seventh on floor ... finished second in the all-around at the 2002 Junior Nationals ... chose Missouri over Louisiana State and Michigan.

Alicia Hatcher
Blue Springs, Mo.
Blue Springs HS
Tied to win the 2004 Missouri Junior State Championship all-around, floor, beam and vault titles with fellow teammate Adrianne Perry ... also finished second on bars ... tied to win the all-around and balance beam titles at the 2004 Regional Championship ... also finished third on vault and floor and fourth on bars ... rounded out the season finishing second on beam at the Junior National Championship ... also placed eighth on bars, ninth in the all-around, 23rd on floor and 25th on vault ... picked up four regional titles in 2003 finishing first on bars, beam, floor and in the all-around ... won the 2002 Missouri state all-around and regional all-around titles to serve as a three-time regional all-around winner ... chose Missouri over Louisiana State and Michigan.