University of Missouri
Big 12 Championship
#14 Missouri Finish Third at Big 12 Championship
3/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
March 20, 2004
Des Moines, Iowa-#14 Mizzou Tigers scored a 196.425 to finish third at the 2004 Big 12 Championships-tying their highest league finish in program history. #16 Oklahoma edged the championship title scoring a 196.950 while #7 Iowa State (196.925) placed second. Highlighting the meet, Missouri topped the Cornhuskers for the first time in Big 12 history as #11 Nebraska (196.175) finished fourth.
Critiquing four of the nation's top-15 programs, the judging panel kept scoring tight. Despite the conservative curve however, all four Big 12 teams gave fans a taste of the excitement awaiting in next month's NCAA Regional and National Championships.
Building velocity through its floor lineup, Mizzou opened the meet scoring a 49.250 to lead the competition after the first event. Falling just short of its Big 12 Championship record of 49.275 credited last season, the Tigers' floor total ties as Mizzou's 12th highest score overall.
Senior Lindsay Davis scored a solid 9.750 followed by consecutive 9.825 performances by Kelley Andersen and Rachel Bridges. Revving up another grade, Andrea Nervig and Lauren Schwartzman pulled out back-to-back 9.850 routines leading up to a team high 9.900 by Alisha Robinson.
Moving to their strongest event, the Tigers set a new conference championship standard on vault scoring a 49.200. The tally ties as Missouri's sixth-highest program total and boosts Mizzou to scoring nine of the team's top-12 vault scores this season.
Keeping Mizzou ahead of the pack with a 98.450 two-event total, Katie Roets opened the round for Mizzou scoring a 9.600. Following their amplifying trend from the previous rotation, the Tigers continued to up their scores through the rotation lineup.
Whitney Crater, Amanda Pezzullo and Rachel Bridges each followed Roets scoring consecutive 9.800 marks. Schwartzman again took the Tigers a step further earning a 9.850 vault opening the way for Mizzou's final competitor.
Throttling on all cylinders, Robinson scored a 9.950 to earn the junior her first Big 12 Championship title. Tying to win the event with OU's Ashley Cooney, Robinson distinguished herself as Mizzou's fifth Big 12 Champion overshadowing her own Missouri Big 12 Championship vault score (9.925).
Swinging a 48.950 in its third round, Mizzou was forced to drop a fall on the apparatus. Despite the stumble, Missouri's depth kept the Tigers in contention with five solid scores. Leading the Tigers off, Davis performed a fluid 9.800 routine. Andersen and sophomore Sarah Zigler reinforced the effort scoring consecutive 9.750 marks. Rounding out the rotation, Robinson and Nervig each scored a 9.825.
Ending the competition on beam, the Tigers scored a 49.025.
Saving her best for last, Amanda Pezzullo tied her career high on beam leading the Tigers off scoring a 9.825. Robinson scored a 9.675, and Andersen put up another solid mark reinforcing the Tiger's momentum with a 9.700. Suffering their second fall of the evening however, the pressure on Mizzou's final event mounted.
Not skipping a beat however, Miranda Boeckman stepped up to set Mizzou back on track scoring a 9.900. In addition to setting a new career high for the freshman, the mark also tied for second-place on the event to earn All-Big 12 accolades.
Missouri's beam phenom, Schwartzman, scored a 9.925 to win the Big 12 balance beam title. The mark ties the Tigers' all-time conference beam high and brings the sophomore's season tally to 9-of-11 performances scoring a 9.900 or above, including two perfect 10.000 marks.
Competing as the Tigers' only all-around contender, Robinson scored a 39.350 to finish sixth.
The Tigers continue their post-season run competing in the NCAA Regional Championships on Sat., April 3. Seeding for NCAA competition will be announced on the afternoon of Mon., March 22.
Mizzou All-Big 12 Recipients
Miranda Boeckman ~ Beam
Lauren Schwartzman ~ Vault, Beam (champion)
Alisha Robinson ~ Vault (co-champion), Floor
2004 Big 12 Conference Awards
Newcomer of the Year: Janet Anson, ISU
Gymnast of the Year: Kasie Tamayo, OU
Coach of the Year: K.J. Kindler, ISU
Players Mentioned
