University of Missouri
SEMO
No. 14 Missouri Tops Redhawks 195.425 - 193.500
2/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 16, 2008
Cape Girardeau, Mo. - In its final tune-up before a pivotal showdown with Oklahoma, the No. 14 Missouri Gymnastics squad moved its winning streak to three by topping the SEMO Redhawks 195.425 - 193.500. The Tigers extended the series lead to 21-6 all time against SEMO. Junior all-arounder Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.) had one of her best meets of the season, taking home the all-around title with a 39.250.
The improving Redhawks put up a good fight against the Tigers, but in the end they did not have enough to overcome some big Tiger scores on vault, beam and floor. The Tigers won every event in the meet, highlighted by Perry's three event titles. Senior Ashley Khederian (Carlisle, Mass.) also had a big meet, finishing second in the all-around with a 38.975.
One week removed from a near school record setting performance on the uneven bars, the Tigers kicked of the meet on bars trying to equal that feat. Falling a little short, the Tigers still managed to put up their third highest total of the season, a 48.550, receiving big scores from juniors Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Perry. Hatcher posted a 9.775 on the event, while Perry finished just behind of her with a 9.725.
Senior Lisa Puccio (Kirkwood, Mo.) worked her way back into the bars lineup after exhibitioning in each of last two meets. Puccio tied her career best mark of 9.700 after putting together her best routine of the season. Sophomore Becky Scholle (Chesterfield, Mo.) also notched a 9.700 on the event.
Vault was one of the high points on the night for the Tigers. After struggling by their standards last week, the Tigers posted a 48.975 on vault this week. Perry won the event with a 9.850 while sophomore Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.) and freshman Alex Gold (Plano, Texas) tied for second, both registering a 9.800. Freshman Lauren Stephenson (Kansas City, Mo.) had another terrific performance on vault as well. Stephenson stuck her landing, giving her a 9.750, just shy of her career high 9.800, which she set two weeks ago against UIC.
The Tigers took a 97.525 - 96.550 lead into the third rotation, the floor exercise, an event that has been one of the Tigers best throughout the 2008 season. The Tigers used the floor to extend their lead heading into the final rotation, as the Tigers posted a team score of 49.000. The final four competitors on the floor put up a 9.825 or higher, highlighted by Shire's 9.850, winning the event. With the event title, Shire now has 15 on the season, leading the Tigers.
Khederian along with Perry and Gold all put up 9.825's, giving the Tigers their second highest score of the season on floor. With the score of 49.000, the Tigers have now put up scores of 49.000 or higher in each of the last two meets.
The Tigers took a score of 146.525 into the final rotation, the balance beam. The Tigers have seen success on the beam all season long and tonight was no different. Khederian led things off for the Tigers, putting up a 9.750. Things just got better from there for Mizzou as they posted a 48.900 on the beam. Sophomore Brooke Boehmer (Overland Park, Kan.) scored a 9.775 while Perry won the event with a 9.850. Hatcher finished third second with a 9.825.
Perry's 9.850 on beam closed her night, earning her a 39.250 in the all-around. Her total is the second highest of the season and fourth highest of any Tiger in 2008.
Posting a 9.700 on the beam, Stephenson had the best meet of her young career in a Mizzou leotard. The walk-on, set a career high on beam and just missed her best mark on vault.
The Tigers return to action next Friday in a pivotal match up against Big 12 rival Oklahoma at the Hearnes Center on Fri., February 22nd. The meet will be televised, but fans are encouraged to come and cheer on their Tigers in a meet that will likely determine Big 12 Conference supremacy. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for all the latest on Mizzou Gymnastics.
