After a win against Georgia, Missouri gymnastics hit the road for a meet against Florida. 

The Tigers lost the meet 198.125.-197.725, but recorded a season high score. This was the second highest score in program history behind a 197.85 on Feb. 24, 2023. Missouri also earned season highs on vault and beam rotations. Their meet was highlighted by another top-notch floor rotation. 

All six Tigers on floor finished with a score above 9.850, with five scoring a 9.9 or higher. Sophomore Rayna Light tied her career high with two fantastic tumbling passes including a stuck  double pike. Sophomores Hannah Horton and Kennedy Griffin finished with team-high scores of 9.925. Horton’s routine featured a difficult full twisting back pass. Griffin added another strong routine with a 9.925. She soared through her opening double pike and finished with a high-flying leap series. This gave the Tigers a 49.550 total on the rotation. 

Senior Amari Celestine highlighted Missouri’s day with an all-around total of 39.575, including three 9.9 scores on vault, bars and floor. 

While the Tigers had a strong meet, it was not enough to edge out the Gators. Florida did not hold back on vault. Graduate student Victoria Nguyen earned a 9.975 and Junior Selena Harris-Miranda stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 for a perfect 10.0. The team earned a vault total of 49.625. The Gators kept their momentum going on bars as senior olympic alternate Leanne Wong scored a near perfect 9.975. Florida finished with a 49.575 in the event. 

Missouri began on bars with three 9.850s from Horton, Light and graduate student Kyra Burn. Celestine amplified with the previously mentioned 9.900. Graduate student Mara Titarsolej anchored the rotation by sticking her double back dismount for a 9.950. The Tigers earned a bar total of 49.400. 

In the second rotation, The Tigers earned a season high vault score of 49.375.  Horton, Celestine and senior Jocelyn Moore all completed Yurchenko 1.5s that earned 9.9s. Griffin and Freshman Kaia Tanskanen added to the high score with a 9.850 and 9.825, respectively.  

Heading into the final rotation on beam, Missouri trailed 148.500-148.325. A season-high of 49.400 propelled the Tigers to the overall score of 197.725. 

Celestine and Kelly matched with scores of 9.875. Junior Addison Lawrence along with graduate student Helen Hu wrapped the rotation with a pair of 9.900 scores. 

This score helps bring Missouri’s total NQS score to a 197.230.

Missouri gymnastics returns home to the Hearnes Center against Auburn at noon on Sunday, March 9. 

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com