MU gymnasts climb to No. 7 in rankings

The Missouri gymnastics team has climbed to its highest ranking in program history.

It is a sparkling accomplishment for the seventh-ranked Tigers. The team has been moving steadily upward in the GymInfo National Top 25 poll every week this season. It is the second time in as many weeks that the Tigers have set program highs in the ranking. In the most recent poll, it moved up from No. 10.

“Being ranked seventh makes a statement to the rest of the country that we’re a good team this year and we’re going to be in the hunt,” Tigers coach Rob Drass said. “I think we’ve gotten people’s attention at this point in time.”

This ranking is even more impressive considering the Tigers’ competition in the Big 12 Conference, which is home to four of the top 10 teams. Oklahoma is ranked sixth, Nebraska is eighth and Iowa State is ninth.

Standout seniors Jodie Heinicka, Lauren Schwartzman and freshman Adrianne Perry anchor the team.

The Tigers’ scored a team-high 195.950 in a meet at Nebraska on Sunday. Missouri will host Iowa State at 7 p.m. Friday.

“It will be a battle this weekend,” Drass said. “You’ll see two top 10 teams fighting it out.”