No. 8 Missouri gymnastics delivered a complete performance Friday night, winning a quad meet against Air Force, Illinois and Ball State with a team score of 197.550.
The Tigers posted strong scores in all four events, highlighted by a meet-best 49.575 on floor exercise. Missouri also scored 49.350 on uneven bars, 49.325 on vault and 49.300 on balance beam to secure the victory.
Missouri set the tone early on vault with a 49.325 team score behind a 9.925 from junior Railey Jackson. Redshirt senior Elise Tisler added a 9.875, while sophomore Kaia Tanskanen and freshman Kimarra Echols both scored 9.850 to give the Tigers momentum heading into the next rotation.
Junior Hannah Horton led the team on bars with a 9.925. Graduate Makayla Green and sophomore Olivia Kelly each contributed matching scores of 9.875, helping Missouri reach a 49.350 and maintain control of the meet.
Missouri remained steady on beam, posting a 49.300 behind co-team-high scores of 9.900 from Jackson and redshirt senior Amy Wier. Graduate Lauren Macpherson added a 9.875, while sophomore Addison Lawrence scored a 9.800 to keep the Tigers ahead entering the final rotation.
The team delivered its strongest performance on floor, with three gymnasts tied for the team lead with scores of 9.925. Jackson, Horton and Tisler each posted those marks, while Tanskanen and junior Kennedy Griffin added 9.900s. The Tigers’ 49.575 on floor was their highest event score of the night and sealed the victory.
Missouri’s depth proved to be the difference, as multiple gymnasts contributed scores of 9.900 or higher across each event. Jackson led the Tigers with standout performances on vault, beam and floor, while Horton made a major impact on bars and floor.
Missouri finished well ahead of the competition, with Air Force placing second at 195.675, Illinois in third at 195.450 and Ball State fourth at 195.275.
The Tigers’ next competition is against No. 7 Arkansas Sunday, March 1, at home in Mizzou Arena.
