Editorial: Short stature, big accomplishments
There's nothing small about Sarah Shire's gymnastics career.
Published May 7, 2009
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Sophomore Sarah Shire performs her beam routine Feb. 6 at the Hearnes Center. Shire earned the title First Team All-American for vault, Regional Gymnast of the Year, co-Big 12 Gymnast of the Year and had the highest winning percentage in the gymnastics program's history.
Standing at 4 feet 11 inches, junior Sarah Shire was the shortest member of the Missouri gymnastics squad, but no Missouri female athlete had a bigger impact on the team's success in 2008-2009.
Shire compiled a laundry list of accomplishments this season, among them earning first-team All-American for vault, Regional Gymnast of Year and co-Big 12 Gymnast of the Year.
Shire was a factor in every one of Missouri's meets. She powered the Tigers to a regular season record of 16-2 and the highest winning percentage in the program's history.
Shire set a new school record by winning 10 all-around titles during the season and also set personal records in every event and the all-around.
Her momentum carried into the postseason as she won the all-around and tied for the vault and balance beam titles at the Big 12 Championships. Shire made her way to the NCAA Championships where she finished in 11th place on the vault.