Tigers Take Three of Four Event Titles in the 27^th Annual The Callaway Bank Cat Classic

The Missouri Tigers claimed three out of four event titles in the individual competition at the 27^th Annual The Callaway Bank Cat Classic on Saturday night.  Sophomore Adrianne Perry won both the vault and floor titles, and junior Julie Abaray took home the bar title.

“I thought, overall we did a nice job,” said Head Coach Rob Drass. “We incorporated a couple of new skills here and there which was nice, we just need a little more confidence. Especially considering this was the second night of competition, because that’s definitely tough to go two days in a row.”

Perry kept her hot streak alive earning a 9.925 on vault as she tied the second highest vault score in Cat Classic history.  Senior Whitney Crater flew her way to a 9.850, followed by Tawna Bennett from Eastern Michigan earning a 9.800.  The Tigers also claimed fourth and fifth spots with junior Ashley Khederian and senior Amanda Pezzullo earning a 9.75 and a 9.725, respectively.

Abaray hit the top spot on bars scoring a 9.850.  Following Abaray was sophomore Alicia Hatcher earning a 9.800.  Third place, decided through a tie-breaker, was claimed by Eastern Michigan’s Zu Vuong, who also scored a 9.800.  Mizzou, once again, claimed fourth place where Khederian swung her way to a 9.775.  Earning a 9.750, freshman Becky Scholle showed she could truly hang with the Tigers. 

Taking honors in the beam title was Jolene Worley from Eastern Michigan earning a 9.850.  Coming in close second, due to a tie-breaker, was Perry scoring a 9.850.  Third and fourth place titles were taken by Hatcher and Pezzullo, respectively, with both girls earning a 9.750.  Freshman Danielle Guider scored a 9.725 placing her sixth. 

The Tigers swept the top three spots on the floor exercise with Perry winning the floor title by scoring a 9.875.  Second place was claimed by Crater dancing into a 9.850.  In a close third was Pezzullo scoring a 9.825, followed by Khederian who earned a 9.775 on the apparatus. 

“Whitney had a great night,” said Drass.  “I was really concerned about Whitney going into this because two meets in a row is very difficult on the body, especially coming off an Achilles tear.”

“I feel really good about my performance tonight,” said Crater.  “I think this is the first time I feel like I’m actually back.  I am very excited for the post-season knowing I can perform and hit.”

Tiger action begins again next Saturday, March 3 in Pittsburgh, Pa.  The Tigers will take on Pittsburgh and Central Michigan at 6 p.m. CT.  Missouri then returns home to host Iowa on Friday, March 9 for senior night at 7 p.m. in the Hearnes Center.  Following the competition, Missouri will honor this year’s three seniors, Alicia Gilmore, Amanda Pezzullo, and Whitney Crater, for their contributions to Missouri Gymnastics.

Vault

1. Adrianne Perry (Missouri)
2. Whitney Crater (Missouri)
3. Tawna Bennett (Eastern Michigan)
4. Ashley Khederian (Missouri)
5. Amanda Pezzullo (Missouri)
6. Christina Padilla (William and Mary

Bars

1. Julie Abaray ( Missouri)
2. Alicia Hatcher (Missouri)
3. Zu Vuong (Eastern Michigan)
4. Ashley Khederian (Missouri)
5. Becky Scholle (Missouri)
6. Stevie Waldman (William and Mary

Beam

1. Jolene Worley (Eastern Michigan)
2. Adrianne Perry (Missouri)
3. Alicia Hatcher (Missouri)
4. Amanda Pezzullo (Missouri)
5. Jholeen Ponce (Bowling Green)
6. Danielle Guider (Missouri)

Floor

1. Adrianne Perry (Missouri)
2. Whitney Crater (Missouri)
3. Amanda Pezzullo (Missouri)
4. Ashley Khederian (Missouri)
5. Jolene Worley (Eastern Michigan)
6. Rachel Gourley (Bowling Green), Mickayla Balow (Eastern Michigan)

Kate Lakin

Media Relations Associate