Six Gymnasts, Team Earn Academic Honors

Tigers ranked 37th nationally in team GPA

Aug. 28, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. - For University of Missouri gymnasts, the balancing act is not limited to the beam. The Tigers are also full-time students who work hard in the classroom. For the eighth consecutive year, both the Mizzou gymnastics team and individual student-athletes have been recognized for their academic achievements by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastic Coaches (NACGC/W). Six gymnasts were recognized, and the team was honored as an NACGC/W Academic Team for having a collective GPA of 3.2653. The Tigers placed 37th on the list, the highest in the Big 12 conference.

The individual gymnasts recognized include Julie Abaray, Brooke Boehmer, Nikki Bowman, Lisa LaPerriere, Lauren Stephenson and Liz Straatmann. This is the fourth consecutive Scholar Athlete recognition for Abaray, who received the distinction all four years of her college career, beginning in 2005. This is also the second award for Boehmer and Straatmann, who were both recognized last year.

These latest awards bring the total of Scholar Athletes mentored by Head Coach Rob Drass to 40 over the last eight years.

To be eligible for consideration, a scholar-athlete must post a 3.50 GPA or higher during the full academic year or maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Shire, Perry to Rotate with SEC Squads

04/06/2009 - W. Gymnastics

This is senior Adrianne Perry's fourth trip to the NCAA National Championships, a school record, and the first time Missouri has sent two individuals to the competition.