Junior (2002): Laura Forbes once again joined the Tiger lineup as one of Mizzou’s elite floor competitors … appearing in all 14 Missouri meets, she performed 11 floor routines scoring a 9.800 or above … recorded three meets on the year scoring a 9.900, including a floor title against Oklahoma/Centenary and Texas Woman’s … the marks also set a new junior floor routine record … filling in on the balance beam, Forbes scored a career high 9.775 against Ball State … rounding out the 2002 season, the junior finished 17th on the floor at the North Central Regional competition.
Sophomore (2001): Highlighted sophomore season scoring a school record-setting 9.925 mark on the floor exercise at the Corvette Cup … also competed on the balance beam for the first season posting a career-high 9.75 at the Cat Classic … received the MU Tigers Spirit Award.
Freshman (2000): A walk-on gymnast who worked hard and was rewarded with Missouri’s leadoff spot on floor at mid-season … was very steady, getting the Tigers off to a flying start in that event beginning with MU’s meet at Nebraska … averaged 9.658 and scored 9.7-or-better five times … in the Tigers final six meets, Forbes averaged 9.71 … career high of 9.75 came at the Corvette Cup and at Texas Woman’s.
Club/High School: Trained at Columbia’s Show-Me Gymnastics club ... club coaches — Kathy Sandford and Alena Dubinski ... most inspired in athletics by Michael Jordan.
Personal: Laura is the daughter of George and Cathy Forbes … born July 26, 1980 … is a communication major … father, George, is the executive manager at State Farm Insurance, and played baseball at Illinois State University in the mid-1960s ... hobbies include shopping and hanging out with her friends.
Coach Drass on Forbes
“Laura is the epitome of what you want in a gymnast. She works hard, is a joy to coach and is always striving to be better in practice and competition. Her endless attitude is one of the real reasons this team is able to gel. Her leadership and example is priceless.”
Forbes Career Highs
Beam: 9.775 v. Iowa State, 2002
Floor: 9.925 at Corvette Cup, 2001
