Gymnastics rakes up Big 12 awards
No. 11 Missouri’s hot streak continues after besting Iowa State in the conference opener Jan. 22. Senior Sarah Shire’s career-high score on floor exercise (9.950) propelled the Tigers to 5-0.
For her impressive performance, the Big 12 voted Shire the Gymnast of the Week. It was the second time in as many weeks Shire was the recipient of the honor.
With this last award, Missouri continues to sweep the Big 12 Gymnast of the Week titles in the early going of the season. MU sophomore Mary Burke was the first Tiger this year to be recognized as Gymnast of the Week.
The road does not get any easier for the Tigers as they travel to Lincoln, Neb., to take on the undefeated ninth-ranked Cornhuskers this coming Saturday and avenge last season’s Big 12 Championship loss dealt at the hands of Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers (4-0) are coming off a home victory against No. 17 Michigan.
Junior Maria Scaffidi is the Cornhuskers’ most potent gymnast thus far in the season. Scaffidi is the ninth-ranked gymnast on floor exercise and is the 21st-best in the all-around.
Another Nebraska asset is junior Erin Davis who is tied as the fourth -best gymnast on vault in the country.
Missouri will fight history when squaring off against the Cornhuskers. Nebraska is 65-6 all-time against Missouri.
