University of Missouri
Penn State
#27 Missouri Finishes Third at Penn State Invitational
2/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 5, 2005
State College, Pa. - Competing in the Penn State Invitational, the #27 Mizzou Tigers finished third scoring a 191.925. #14 Penn State won the event scoring a 193.575 followed by #36 New Hampshire (192.275) in second and #64 Cornell finishing fourth (187.100).
Taking the hardest rotation of the quad, the Tigers opened the meet on beam scoring a 47.250. Building momentum on the floor exercise, Mizzou saw solid performances across the board to count a 48.150 team total. The Tigers shined on vault scoring their highest score of the night with a 48.125 and finished up the meet with a strong showing on bars scoring a 48.400 to tie for top honors.
Highlighting as one of Mizzou's most consistent performers, junior Lauren Schwartzman delivered three solid scores. Leading the Tigers on beam and floor scoring a 9.600 and a 9.725, respectively, she rounded out the meet with a 9.675 vault performance.
Supporting the Tiger cause, veteran Kelley Andersen turned in stellar presentations on two apparatus tying Schwartzman on beam scoring a 9.600 and a 9.675 on floor. Junior Jodie Heinicka turned in two solid routines for the Tigers as well scoring a 9.500 vault and tying to lead the Tigers with a 9.700 bar performance. Matching Heinicka on bars, newcomer Lisa Puccio scored a career high 9.700 to tie for fourth overall.
Seeing strong marks from Mizzou event specialists, Whitney Crater shined on vault scoring a 9.775 to tie for second overall. She also turned in a 9.550 floor performance. Joining Crater, Amanda Pezzullo rocked scoring a 9.575 on her first vault of the season. Adding to her review, the sophomore also turned in a solid 9.500 beam routine.
Receiving an additional boost, the Tigers benefited from another standout meet by Julie Abaray who successfully executed a 9.675 bar routine and a 9.525 floor exercise. Junior Sarah Zigler and senior Alisha Robinson did their part as well scoring a 9.650 and 9.675, respectively on bars.
Anchoring as Mizzou's only all-around contender, Ashley Khederian turned in another impressive meet scoring a 38.500 all-around mark to finish third. Bolstering her tally with each round, she scored a 9.550 on beam, a 9.675 on floor, a 9.600 on vault and a 9.675 on bars. The feat marks the third meet Khederian has scored above a 38.500 or above.
Returning to the Hearnes Center, the Tigers jump back into the home season next weekend when they host Illinois on Friday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available by calling the Mizzou Ticket Office at 884-PAWS.
Players Mentioned
