After concluding the regular season with a second-place finish in last weekend’s tri-meet at Ohio State, the Missouri gymnastics team is preparing to host the Big 12 Conference meet Saturday.
Heading into the meet, the Tigers find themselves playing the role of the underdog. Out of 82 NCAA Division 1 programs, the Tigers’ Regional Qualifying Score of 194.620 places them 32nd nationally, while this weekend’s competition — Iowa State, Oklahoma and Nebraska, are ranked 20th, fourth and 11th, respectively.
Playing the role of underdog does not bother junior Mary Burke.
“We have a lot to prove and people don’t know how good we are, so it’s a chance to showcase ourselves,” Burke said. “We’re the underdog, which takes the pressure off of us and places it on other teams, it’s a good spot for us.”
Missouri is hosting the meet, which is a welcome advantage for the Tigers. In five meets at the Hearnes Center this year, the Tigers have compiled an average score of 195.005. In five meets away from the Hearnes Center, they have amassed an average score of 193.615.
After watching the ups and downs of this current squad, combined with last year’s group qualifying for Nationals while hosting NCAA Regionals, coach Rob Drass understands the importance of being the host school and having a pro-Tiger crowd in the stands.
“The bigger the crowd, the better we will perform,” Drass said. “Our athletes are so much better with the home crowd supporting them, and it makes competing more difficult for the opposing teams coming in. And as a judge, when a few thousand people scream and yell and you’re trying to decide between a 9.700 and 9.800, you’re going with the 9.800.”
The girls welcome any extra help they can get, as it’s been a topsy-turvy year for the Tigers.
After a rough start, the team rebounded in mid-February to put together a stretch of three-straight scores above 195.000. In three meets since that stretch, the Tigers have failed to reach the 195.000 mark, and last weekend’s score of 193.325 at Ohio State was their second-lowest total of the season.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, sophomore Lauren Swankoski remains upbeat about the remainder of the season.
“We’re still confident in our ability, we just need to prove that we can do it,” Swankoski said.
The team has come to practice with more energy this week. The girls are fine-tuning their routines, with an emphasis on perfecting their handstands and hitting their landings.
Junior Allie Hiezelman said she believes this week of practice has allowed the team to turn the page and put their struggles permanently in the past.
“We were going through a low point in our season,” Heizelman said. “We were tired from tests in school and after having competed for so long, things tend to get tougher at the end of the season. That’s done now, I think this week we’ve had a much better attitude and work ethic, and are looking forward to the meet.”
The Tigers will host the Big 12 Conference Meet at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the Hearnes Center.