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 Lisa Puccio posted a 9.800 on bars in her final performance at Hearnes Center |
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Tigers Send Seniors off in Style with a 195.625 -195.500 win over ASU
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March 21, 2008
Complete Results |
Photo Gallery
Columbia, Mo. - Honoring four seniors in their final home meet of 2008, the No. 16 Missouri Gymnastics squad sent the seniors off in style as they topped No. 23 Arizona State 195.625 - 195.500 at the Hearnes Center. Junior Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.) took home her fifth all-around crown in the last six meets and her sixth this season as she tallied a 39.375, highlighted by a career best 9.925 on floor. The Tigers finish 10-5 in the regular season as they prepare for the Big 12 Championships next weekend. Beginning the meet on vault, the Tigers tallied a 48.850 on the heels of Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.). Shire, the anchor of the vault lineup, had her best vault since Feb. 22 as she posted a 9.900, tying her season and career high mark. Also adding a big score was Perry who posted a 9.800, giving her seven straight meets with a score of 9.800 or better on vault. Ashley Khederian (Carlisle, Mass.), one of four seniors being recognized on senior night, also added a high score as she put up a 9.750. The Tigers led the Sun Devils 48.850 - 48.775 as they made their way to bars, looking to preserve the lead. Stressing the little things, such as hitting their handstands, all week during practice, the Tigers responded with their second best bar score all season, a 48.950. Continuing her consistency on bars, junior Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) posted a 9.875, winning the event. Senior Lisa Puccio (Kirkwood, Mo.) tallied a 9.800 as she earned an exhibition spot on senior night. Puccio's score, had it counted would have earned her third place. Perry, along with Liz Straatmann (Washington, Mo.) also tallied 9.800's while sophomore Becky Scholle (Chesterfield, Mo.) posted a 9.750. Khederian rounded out the top-five Tigers with a 9.725. The Tigers took a 97.800 - 97.475 lead into the third rotation. The Tigers, with excellent performances from several gymnasts, posted a 48.975 on beam. The highlight of the event was senior Julie Abaray (Cincinnati, Ohio) who earned her way back into the lineup after battling through knee injuries all season. In her final performance in front of the home-town crowd, Abaray posted a 9.800, finishing third on the team. Shire scored a 9.875 on beam, just shy of her career best of 9.900 while Perry finished just behind her with a 9.850. Hatcher and sophomore Brooke Boehmer (Overland Park, Kan.) rounded out the top five Tiger scores as they both notched a 9.725. The team total was the Tigers fourth highest of the season and their highest in four weeks since they posted a 49.150 against Oklahoma. Heading to floor, the Tigers lead the Sun Devils 146.775 - 146.250, but Arizona St. posted a 49.250 to make it interesting. The Tigers trailed heading into their final routine, but Perry posted a 9.925, a career best on floor to seal the victory for the Tigers. Khederian posted a 9.800 in her final performance on the Hearnes Center floor, helping the Tigers to a 48.850. The Tigers head to Oklahoma next weekend to take part in the Big 12 Championships. The Tigers will look to earn their first conference title in school history. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for all the latest on Tiger athletics.
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