Dec. 17, 2007
Columbia, Mo. - The 2008 Tiger Women's Gymnastics team will enter the season ranked 16th in the nation in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll, the teams highest preseason ranking since 2006 when the Tigers also entered the season at 16th. The Tigers, with the addition of some quality gymnasts will once against battle for the national spotlight in 2008.
In 2006, the last time the Tigers were ranked this high, Bunny Schwartzman and Sarah Zigler carried the Tigers to as high as seventh nationally, the programs highest ranking ever. The Tigers will look to repeat that success in 2008.
With a talented array of returning gymnasts including Adrianne Perry (Columbia, Mo.) and Alicia Hatcher (Blue Springs, Mo.) the Tigers should challenge for a spot at the NCAA National Championships in Athens, Ga.
The Tigers remain a staple in the preseason top 25. The Tigers entered last season ranked 18th. The three other teams from the Big 12 Conference boast top-25 rankings as well. Nebraska and Oklahoma rank seventh and eighth, respectively, while Iowa State comes in one spot behind the Tigers in 17th.
Eight of the Tiger opponents are ranked in the top 25, with five other schools receiving votes, which should make for some quality competition in the gym in 2008. Nebraska (7) and Okalahoma (8) lead the way while Michigan (9), Oregon State (11), Iowa State (17), Arizona State (18), Ohio State (20) and Illinois (23) round out the top 25.
The Tigers open the 2008 season on Jan. 12 when they will travel to Bowling Green, Ohio to take on Bowling Green State University. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for all the latest on Tiger Gymnastics.
2008 GymInfo Preseason Poll
Rank Team Points
1 Georgia 866
2 Florida 788
3 Utah 779
4 UCLA 743
5 Stanford 727
6 Alabama 685
7 Nebraska 641
8 Oklahoma 620
9 Michigan 593
10 LSU 591
11 Ore. St. 503
12 Arizona 402
13 Penn St. 385
14 Arkansas 365
15 Denver 365
16 Missouri 310
17 Iowa St. 285
18 Ariz. St. 256
19 Auburn 237
20 Ohio St. 202
21 Mich. St. 197
22 WVU 130
23 Illinois 124
24 Kentucky 104
25 NC State 72
Other teams receiving votes:
Minnesota, BYU, Washington, Boise State, Southern Utah, Iowa, North Carolina, Utah State, Sacramento State, California, San Jose State, Cal State-Fullerton, Central Michigan, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Illinois-Chicago, SE Missouri
