University of Missouri
BYU
#12 Missouri Wins the 2004 State Farm Cat Classic
2/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 6, 2004
Columbia, Mo.-Hosting the 24th Annual State Farm Cat Classic, the Mizzou Tigers' goal was to hit solidly on all events. Putting up some of their highest marks in the history of the Missouri program on their way to winning their second consecutive Cat Classic title, the Tigers did just that.
Recording two of its highest all-time marks on bars and floor and hitting their second-highest team totals on vault and beam, the #12 ranked Tigers toppled several chapters in the Mizzou history books scoring the program and Cat Classic's highest team total. Recording a 197.350-the Tigers' first 197+ mark-Mizzou topped BYU (196.125), Penn State (195.575) and Kentucky (194.125).
Missouri wet its pallet resetting the Tigers' vault record against Nebraska last weekend. Haunted by the craving, the Tigers sought out another record breaker to satiate their thirst. Putting forth a powerful performance, Mizzou posted a 49.300 team total to win the meet vault title and set a new Cat Classic record on the event. It also marks as the Tigers' second-highest all-time vault score.
Bolstered by the consistency of its talented vault lineup, Mizzou's opening event was highlighted by solid exhibits. Katie Roets and Rachel Bridges opened the meet scoring 9.800 marks. Freshman Amanda Pezzullo added to the tally scoring a career-high 9.875 and Lauren Schwartzman tied her career mark scoring her second 9.900 of the year. Junior Alisha Robinson rounded out the lineup scoring a 9.925 to win the event title.
Savoring another successful course, Missouri's bar lineup devoured the competition scoring its highest all-time score. The Tigers rallied a 49.250 total to set a new Mizzou record on the event. After struggling on the apparatus throughout the season, the Tiger team recorded five firm routines on their way to another team event title.
Helping Mizzou to the podium, Sarah Zigler scored a 9.750, Kelley Andersen earned a 9.825 and Lindsay Davis scored a 9.850. Pulling the Tigers further ahead of the field, Robinson scored a 9.875-her highest mark of the season-and Jodie Heinicka pulled out a career and sophomore high performance scoring a 9.950 to win the uneven bars title.
Adding garnish to their already impressive meet, the Tigers continued to gorge adding a 49.225 balance beam score to their team total. Ranking as Mizzou's second-highest all-time beam score and setting a new Cat Classic event record, the Tigers hit six consecutive routines.
The Missouri freshmen class opened the event for the Tigers with Pezzullo scoring a 9.725 and Miranda Boeckman putting up a 9.825. Davis and junior Rachel Dombart followed up posting consecutive 9.800 marks and Robinson scored a 9.875 building up to another Tiger beam climax. Rounding out the Tiger lineup, Schwartzman didn't disappoint scoring a 9.925 to win the event and tie the Cat Classic beam record.
Savoring their final rotation, the Tigers laid out their finest performances of the evening scoring a program high 49.575 floor score. Davis set pace for the Tigers scoring a 9.800. Pezzullo, Bridges and Andrea Nervig built upon the score adding 9.850, 9.875 and 9.900 marks respectively, leading in Mizzou's final duo. Robinson and Schwartzman amazed the crown scoring back-to-back 9.975 floor routines.
Topping off the feast, Robinson won the Cat Classic all-around title scoring Mizzou's all-time highest mark in history. Crashing the junior and Cat Classic all-around records in the process, Robinson's 39.650 total also ranks among the highest scores in the country.
Following a successful team competition, the Tigers host the Cat Classic Individual Championship tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m., where the top-10 event competitors will contend for individual honors.
Players Mentioned
