Shire breaks conference record
Tigers’ senior Sarah Shire rewrote the record books as the Big 12 bestowed the All-American her 12th career conference Gymnast of the Week award earlier this week. This new honor pushes Shire past Nebraska’s Emily Parsons’ mark of 11.
Shire’s career high performance occurred last Friday in Missouri’s 196.875-194.000 win over Illinois State at the Hearnes Center. To date, it is the No. 18 Tigers’ strongest score of the season.
Shire posted a 39.725 in the all-around, smashing her own personal best as well as the school’s record. Her 9.975-worthy performance on floor exercise was especially noteworthy because it matched Missouri’s event’s high mark that teammate sophomore Mary Burke tied just one routine earlier.
Coach Rob Drass’ squad now turns its attention to Sunday’s upcoming Outback Invitational tri-meet in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with Alaska and host SEMO.
Like Missouri, SEMO dispatched Illinois State in its last meet 194.375-193.275. The Redhawks boast a record of 11-2 and are undefeated in Midwest Independent Conference action.
The MIC named SEMO freshman Jordan Salsberg as Conference All-Arounder of the Week last Tuesday for her career best 38.825 in the victory against Illinois State.
Alaska comes into Sunday’s tri-meet with a record of 2-11. The Seawolves earned their first wins of the season against Brown, besting the Bears twice on Feb. 19 and 21.