University of Missouri gymnastics won its SEC home opener against University of Kentucky 197.200 – 196.800. This is Missouri’s first score over 197 in this season – bumping Missouri up to No. 9 in the ranking.

The Tigers began on vault and the Wildcats on bars. Missouri finished the first rotation ahead 49.200 – 49.025.  

Four Tigers finished with a score of 9.8 or better. Elise Tisler entered the vault lineup for the first time this season. She executed a Yurchenko 1.5 to earn a 9.850. Later in the rotation, Amari Celestine followed up with a Yurchenko 1.5 of her own for a 9.825. Jocelyn Moore stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 with a slight wobble on the landing, however she scored a team-high of 9.900. Kennedy Griffin closed out the vault rotation with a score of 9.850 on her Yurchenko full. 

Kentucky struggled to match up with only three gymnasts finishing with a score of 9.8 or better in its bar rotation. Delaynee Rodriguez earned the highest score of the six with a 9.875. Kentucky finished the rotation with a 49.025, narrowly trailing Missouri. 

The two teams swapped heading into the second rotation as Missouri moved to bars and Kentucky moved to vault. 

All six Tigers finished with a score of 9.8 or better. Missouri finished the rotation with a score of 49.225, bringing the team up to 98.425 for the whole meet. Celestine was the only one to break 9.9 with a 9.900 even, capping off the routine by sticking her “Celestine” dismount, a stalder circle to a piked salto forward with a half turn.

Kentucky failed to measure up on vault, finishing the rotation with a score of 49.175. These issues were uncharacteristic for the Wildcats as they are ranked No. 2 in the country for rotation. Isabella Magnelli and Skylar Kilough-Wilhelm salvaged a tough start, ending with scores of 9.875 and 9.900 respectfully. 

Heading into rotation three, Missouri led with a score of 98.425. 

Missouri moved to beam and Kentucky moved to floor. A pair of Tigers finished with scores of 9.9 or higher, leading to a rotation score of 49.350, the highest score of their season on the rotation. Kelly made her beam debut with a mesmerizing 9.900 scoring routine, nailing a difficult double wolf turn while sticking her 1.5 twisting dismount. Helen Hu recorded the highest score of the meet with a near-perfect 9.975 as she performed a difficult front aerial plus front aerial series and stuck her dismount.

Kentucky matched Missouri’s score in the third rotation with a 49.350 on floor. All five scoring Wildcats managed to crack the 9.8 mark. Davis rounded the rotation out with a team-high 9.900, as Missouri led 147.775 – 147.550 heading into the final rotation. 

Missouri ended the day on floor exercise, its highest-scoring rotation while Kentucky wrapped up its day on beam. 

Missouri showed its prowess throughout, as all six Tigers scored a 9.8 or better to finish with a floor score of 49.425. Celestine and Moore scored the highest with matching 9.925 scores. Celestine’s floor routine was choreographed by her younger brother Artyon, a professional dancer in high school.

The Wildcats rallied on beam, finishing with a rotation score of 49.250. Kilough-Wilhelm made waves with her closing score of 9.900. This score was not enough, as Missouri walked away with the upset win after cracking 197 for the first time this season.

“We knew our potential before we even came into this meet, but knowing that this is what we can accomplish, it just sets the bar,” Moore said. “We can do even better.” 

No 9. Missouri returned to the mat against No. 3 LSU on the road at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com