University of Missouri
Illinois
No. 15 Missouri Gymnastics Squeaks by Illini
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
March 8, 2008
Champaign, Ill. - In a meet that came down to score inquiries, the No. 15 Missouri Gymnastics squad took No. 28 Illinois' best shot of the season, but overcame and topped the Illini 195.400 - 195.325. Junior Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.) tallied a 39.375 in the all-around, tying her for the title with Illinois freshman Allison Buckley. The title was her fourth consecutive title. Proving that Perry is indeed one of the top gymnasts in the nation, Buckley's score was the second highest on school history, and she could still not overcome Perry.
Separated by just .125, the Tigers headed to the beam while the Illini made their way to floor, looking to preserve their lead in the fourth and final rotation. The Illini tallied a 48.950, but the Tigers posted a 48.900, keeping the Illini at bay. Two scores were inquired by the Tigers and both were raised, sealing the win for Mizzou. Perry notched a 9.875, a score that the Tigers really needed to pull away.
The Tigers started the meet just like any road meet, on the uneven bars. Posting a 48.750, the Tigers found themselves in a hole early. Junior Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.) tallied a 9.850 to give her the event title and help the Tigers keep pace with the Illini who posted a season high 49.000 on vault. Teammate Alicia Hatcher (Columbia, Mo.) had a very good performance as well. Fighting through her routine, Hatcher stuck the landing and was rewarded a 9.825, finishing third. The Tigers also got big scores from sophomores Becky Scholle (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.). Scholle tallied a 9.725 while Shire finished behind her with a 9.700.
Heading to the vault in the second rotation, the Tigers were in need of a big score to help them recover. Sophomore Danielle Guider (Columbia, Mo.) got the Tigers started right, posting a season high 9.800. Her score was just shy of her career high of 9.850, set last season at Michigan. Ashley Khederian (Carlisle, Mass.) followed Guider's lead posting a 9.825, a season high for Khederian.
Perry, arguably the Tigers best gymnast over the past five weeks, continued to raise the bar as she tallied a 9.900 on vault to win the event. Perry claimed both event titles in the first two rotations. Shire finished just behind Perry with a 9.800.
Freshman Alex Gold (Plano, Texas), who has been one the Tiger more consistent vaulters in 2008, stayed true to form posting a 9.725. Her score was the lowest that the Tigers counted in the meet, helping the Tigers tie their highest vault score of the season.
The Illini countered the Tigers best vault score of the season as they posted season highs in each of the first two events. The Tigers were not intimidated at all as they posted one of their best floor scores of the season, all while the Illini had two falls on the balance beam. Guider, who had plenty of family and friends on hand, posted a 9.750 on floor to kick things off. With her score on floor, Guider had her best meet of the season. Khederian scored a team high 9.775 to help the Tigers.
Another bright point was sophomore Liz Straatmann (Washington, Mo.) earning a career high 9.800 on beam in an exhibition role.
The Tigers return to action next week when they travel to Corvallis, Ore. to take on Oregon State, Boise State and Sacramento State.
Players Mentioned
