Tigers set sights on regional
The No. 15 Tigers (12-5) took third at the Big 12 Championship in Lincoln, Neb., last Saturday, earning a score of 195.900. No. 12 Nebraska and No. 2 Oklahoma defeated coach Rob Drass’ team for the second time this year, with the Cornhuskers taking second (196.625) and the Sooners getting first (197.175).
Missouri’s All-American senior Sarah Shire won the meet’s all-around championship, making it her second Big 12 Championship all-around title in as many years. Shire is the third gymnast in conference history to do so.
Shire also successfully defended her Big 12 Gymnast of the Year crown.
Up ahead for Missouri is the NCAA Regional Championships where the Tigers will take on five other squads for the right to advance to the NCAA National Championship in Gainesville, Fla.
The Hearnes Center will host one of the four regional championships, possibly giving the Tigers an advantage because they will have a friendly crowd supporting them.
Competing with the Tigers to punch a ticket to Gainesville will be No. 36 North Carolina (19-6), No. 30 Iowa (11-13), No. 25 Minnesota (7-14-1), No. 8 Oregon State (17-5) and No. 5 Georgia (10-7).