University of Missouri
Kentucky
#18 Mizzou Dominates the Texas Woman's Invitational
3/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
March 12, 2004
Denton, Texas-Picking up their fourth tournament title of the 2004 season, the #18 Missouri Tigers summed up the regular season with a 15-3 record following the Texas Woman's Invitational. Mizzou defeated Pennsylvania (194.600), Kentucky (194.750) and Texas Woman's (193.725).
Scoring a 197.475 to win the meet crown and set a new Mizzou all-time record, the Tigers won each event title setting two Missouri apparatus records along the way. In addition to scoring their fourth score of 197 or above this season, the Tigers claimed each of the meets individual event titles.
Opening the meet on the uneven bars, the Tigers brought down their first team record scoring a 49.400. The mark bests Mizzou's previous record of 49.325 scored against Arkansas earlier in the season. The Tigers have also tallied four 49.250 scores to set Mizzou's top-five highest event scores in 2004.
Pulling down its fifth uneven bar record of the year, Lindsay Davis led the team off scoring a 9.875 tying her career-high for the second time this season. Sarah Zigler followed up scoring a 9.800 on the apparatus to earn her third score of 9.8 or above on the year. Adding mettle to the Tiger lineup, Kelley Andersen tied her career-high earning a 9.875 to boost her tally to 8-of-10 routines scoring above a 9.8.
Adding an extra flare to Mizzou's uneven bar rotation, Mizzou's come-back-kid Jodie Heinicka scored a solid 9.900 routine. After suffering an ACL injury that stunted her freshman season, the sophomore has worked her way through a year of rehabilitation. Scoring her third mark above a 9.850, including a Mizzou record 9.950 at the Cat Classic, Heinicka looks to be peaking going into post-season competition.
Even after Heinicka's proud performance, junior Alisha Robinson once again proved Missouri's crowd pleaser. Showcasing an upgraded dismount for the first time in 2004, Robinson scored a 9.950 to win the event and set a new personal and Mizzou junior high on the apparatus. In addition, the mark ties Heinicka as the highest all-time bar score in Mizzou history.
Moving onto beam, the Tigers remained poised scoring a 49.150 tying Missouri's seventh highest all-time total. Rocking the record books, the Tigers have scored eight of the program's top-12 beam totals this season.
Freshman Amanda Pezzullo kicked off the rotation scoring a 9.725, encouraging Andersen to a 9.850 bringing her season total to seven-of-eight beam routines scoring a 9.825 or above. Riding on the solid marks of Mizzou's lead of competitors, Davis put up a 9.825 while Robinson added a 9.750.
Saving the best for last, Mizzou beam phenom Lauren Schwartzman again set herself apart scoring a perfect 10.00. It is the second time this season the sophomore has performed a flawless routine. She is the only Mizzou gymnast to score a 10.000 on any apparatus and is the only Big 12 beam competitor to score a faultless presentation.
Continuing to build momentum on the floor exercise, Missouri scored a 49.550-its third highest team total. Keeping the Mizzou floor records as unstable as the rest, the Tigers have scores the programs five highest team totals this season and six of Mizzou top-12 records.
Keeping the Tigers revving, Davis scored a 9.850, Schwartzman added a 9.875 and Bridges contributed a solid 9.900 routine to boost Mizzou.
Performing just her third floor routine this season, Andersen ignited Missouri's pace scoring a 9.925 career-high. Earning 9.900 marks on her first two routines, she ends the regular season averaging a 9.908. Inspired by the performances of their teammates, floor standards Robinson and senior Andrea Nervig joined Andersen to dominate the spotlight. Both gymnasts scored 9.925 routines to set a three-way tie for top meet honors.
Bringing their meet to a close on vault, Mizzou took its fourth event title scoring a 49.375 setting a new Tiger record on the apparatus. Knocking down the program high for the sixth time in 2004, Mizzou scored its ninth top-12 program score of the year.
Shattering the record book, Robinson led the charge with a stunning 9.950 vault to win the field. Vault specialist Whitney Crater followed in Mizzou's #2 spot scoring a 9.900 for her second consecutive meet. Also bolstering Mizzou, Bridges scored a 9.875, Schwartzman earned a 9.850 and Katie Roets and Amanda Pezzullo both contributed a 9.825.
Adding the final garnish to Mizzou's record setting evening, Robinson scored a 39.575 quad-total to take top honors in the all-around. Overall, the junior won four event titles to serve as the meets' principal competitor.
Heading into post-season competition next weekend, the Tigers travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to face their nationally acclaimed conference rivals. Mizzou faces Iowa State, Nebraska and Oklahoma at the Big 12 Championship on Sat., March 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
