Feb. 27, 2008

Live Scores

Columbia, Mo. - The No. 14 Tiger Gymnastics squad will look to add more hardware to its trophy case as it will play host to the 28th Annual Cat Classic on Friday at 6:30 at the Hearnes Center. Earning their sixth straight title will not be an easy task this year, as the 2008 Cat Classic features some of the best competition the event has ever seen.

The Tigers will play host to the University of Cal-Berkeley, Michigan and Ohio State in hopes of topping one of the best teams in the nation in No. 4 Michigan. The Wolverines enter Friday's meet as one of the favorites to take home the national title as they boast one of the best individual gymnasts in the nation in Lindsey Bruck. Bruck, a two-time All-American and the NCAA Northeast Gymnast of the Year in 2006 is helping Michigan make a run at the title.

Ohio State comes in ranked as one of the Big 10 Conference's best as well. Ranked 22nd in the GymInfo national poll, the Buckeyes have their eyes set on a Big 10 title. Senior all-arounder Maalika Moore-Thomas has led the Buckeyes to a 4-1-1 record on the season, with their only loss coming against NC State. Ohio State's current RQS is 194.080.

Cal enters the contest in a rebuilding mode, as they rank 43rd overall. Sophomore all-arounder Sophia Hocini gives Cal and head coach Cari DuBois reason for hope in the future. Hocini, a co-captain on the 2008 team, ranks 73rd in the nation in only her second season. Senior teammate Siobhan Luce ranks just ahead of her at 66th in the nation.

The Tigers enter the meet ranked 14th in the country and second in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers have not been ranked second in the Big 12 since January 30th, 2006, and that was their first extended stay at the second place spot in program history. The Tigers will look to stay there by posting a high score at the Cat Classic.

The Tigers boast two of the best all-arounders in the nation in Sarah Shire (Columbia, Mo.) and Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.), and they proved that last weekend against Oklahoma. As third ranked all-arounder Kiara Redmond-Sturms was busy posting a 39.300, both Shire and Perry notched scores that topped one of the best gymnasts in the nation. Perry finished first overall with a 39.375 while Shire finished just behind her with a 39.325.

With a win Cat Classic title, the Tigers will move to 8-2 on the season and earn a title in their first multi-team competition. In addition to the meet, the Mizzou Athletic Department has teamed up with Mizzou Tigers for Tigers, an organization based on the MU campus that helps raise awareness for the rapid decline of the Tiger population around the world. Both Clemson and Auburn have similar programs to the one at Mizzou. With a meet called the "Cat Classic," both Mizzou Athletics and Mizzou Tigers for Tigers feel that it is a perfect time to help raise awareness to this global issue.

Live scores and all-access video will be provided for the event, but doors open at 5:30 as fans are encouraged to come pack the Hearnes Center for one of the finest gymnastics meets the NCAA has to offer. For all the latest on Mizzou Gymnastics, stay tuned to www.mutigers.com.