After a difficult regular season, Missouri gymnastics begins its postseason campaign at the SEC Championships. The Tigers finished first in the Session 1 standings and fifth in the conference with a score of 197.25. 

Missouri Tigers began on bars with Arkansas on vault, Auburn on beam and Georgia on floor. 

After returning to competition from illness, freshman Rayna Light got Missouri going with a score of 9.825. Senior Amaya Marshall followed, matching Light’s score. Leading scorer and graduate Sienna Schreiber built momentum with a 9.875.  After scoring a perfect 10.000 several weeks ago, senior Mara Titarsolej scored a 9.950, helping Missouri earn a total of 49.325. Titarsolej took a share of the SEC uneven bar title alongside Ashley Cowan of LSU. 

Arkansas opened their competition with a couple of low vault scores. Freshman Dakota Essenpries stumbled out of her Yurchenko 1.5 and scored a 9.525. Sophomore Lauren Williams finished with  a 9.850, the highest Arkansas score. The Razorbacks scored a total of 49.050 in third place. 

The Auburn Tigers did not hold back on beam. They are ranked No. 11 on the event — the highest of any of their events.  Junior Sophia Groth scored a 9.900 and graduate Cassie Stevens earned a 9.850. Auburn earned a total of 49.150, sitting in second place after the first rotation. 

Georgia saw multiple struggles on floor, scoring the lowest total after rotation one of 48.875. Freshman Holly Snyder scored a 9.725 and graduate Ashlyn Laclair earned a 9.675.

In the second rotation, Missouri moved to beam. Throughout the season, the Tigers have struggled to put out a clean beam rotation. They have four total beam scores in the 48 point range and many low 49 scores. After what seemed like a solid routine, junior Grace Anne Davis had a slight bobble in between her dance series. The judges did not give her the difficulty she intended, resulting in a 9.525. 

The Tigers did not let that mistake affect them. Freshman Kennedy Griffin scored a career-high 9.875. Senior Sydney Schaffer executed a confident routine, earning a 9.925. Junior Amari Celestine followed with a 9.875. After nearly falling, Schreiber helped to finish the rotation with 9.825 to give the Tigers a 49.300 and 98.625 overall. 

Auburn applied pressure to Missouri’s lead on floor. Freshman Juilanne Huff executed a solid routine, earning a 9.875. Senior Olivia Hollingsworth and Stevens both earned scores of 9.850. Auburn finished the rotation second with an overall score of 98.300. 

Arkansas rallied on bars. Graduate Sirena Linton scored a 9.850 and Junior Maddie Jones earned a 9.875 to help Arkansas earn a total of 49.250. The Razorbacks finished the halfway point tied with Auburn at 98.300.

Georgia had sticky feet on vault as LaClair and freshman standout Lily Smith stuck their vaults, scoring a 9.800 and 9.850 respectively. Towards the end of the rotation, freshmen Jaydah Battle and Ady Wahl fell, earning a 9.200 and a 9.125 respectively. The Bulldogs sat last in the session at 97.275.

After getting through their weakest event Missouri moved to their strongest event: floor exercise. Last week, the Tigers hit their season high of 49.700 and are ranked No. 8 on the event. Schreiber led the rotation with a 9.900. Both Junior Alonna Kratzer and Celestine earned a 9.850. Griffin and Moore showcased their unique floor routines, both earning a 9.900 and giving the Tigers a total of 49.400 to hold the first-place spot at 148.025. 

Arkansas exuded confidence on beam. Junior Kalyxta Gamiao earned a 9.875 in the lead-off. Junior Maddie Jones followed with a 9.900. Sophomore Cami Weaver and Freshman Hailey Klein both earned a 9.925. They did not count a score worse than a 9.825, helping them gain a total of 49.450 with sole possession of second place at 147.750.

Auburn was up and down on vault, as Groth only scored a 9.700 and senior Sydney Schumaker only earned a 9.675. However, they finished with two amazing vaults from Huff and Stevens that both earned a 9.900 for a strong total of 49.075 and third overall at 147.375.

Georgia cut into the deficit on bars. Smith and sophomore JaFree Scott  showcased greatness in their routines, each rewarded a 9.925 to help The Bulldogs scored a total of 49.450, fourth in the session at 146.725. 

Missouri completed their competition on vault. Schreiber began the rotation with a stuck vault that earned a 9.825. Griffin and Celestine both stuck their vaults and earned a 9.850. Horton closed the vault rotation with a Yurchenko 1.5 that scored a 9.900. Missouri scored a total of 49.400 to secure the session win with a score of 197.25.

Arkansas finished the meet on floor. Their historically strongest event was key to trying to catch Missouri. They have a season high of 49.7250 and are ranked No. 9 on the event. Klein earned a 9.850 and Jones grabbed a 9.875. Arkansas finished with a total of 49.300. Despite the strong rotation, it was too little to catch Missouri. The Razorbacks finished the session second with 197.050.

Auburn rallied on bars. Graduate Aria Brusch, Hollingsworth and Stevens earned 9.900 to help earn a total of 49.400. The Tigers finished the session in third, with an overall score of 196.775.

Georgia competed strongly on beam. Smith and Turner earned a massive 9.950 to give Georgia a 49.350. 

This win gives Missouri plenty of momentum heading into regional championships. Missouri will travel to Florida for the regional tournament on April 4. 

Edited by Dylan Heinrich 

Copy Edited by Grace Knight

Edited by Genevieve Smith | gsmith@themaneater.com