Dancing and tumbling are two key components of college gymnastics. The Missouri gymnastics squad adds an additional nuance to the sport — gymnast characters.

Gargoyles, spider monkeys and superheroes are just a few of the characters that play a critical role in the success of Tiger gymnastics.

Each Tiger gymnast has her own character, a role to embody while performing.

The gymnasts attempt to fulfill their role both mentally and physically, much like actors in a movie.

Junior Mary Burke’s character is a superhero. While performing her floor routine, Burke envisions herself fighting crime and saving the day. Physically, Burke acts the part as well by throwing elbows and tumbling into superhero poses.

“Having the character is something to think about while performing. The goal is to embody the traits of the character,” Burke said. “The character makes the performance more fun for me and hopefully more entertaining for the crowd.”

In addition to Burke’s superhero, other characters on the team include a Broadway character, a cartoon character, a gargoyle and a spider monkey.

Assistant coach and team choreographer Amy Smith is the mastermind behind implementing the character aspect into the girls’ routines.

Smith, a former All-American gymnast at the University of California — Los Angeles, was introduced to the idea of acting out a role while tumbling from her college coach.

“From my experience I thought it gave routines more depth, and the character made it much easier on me as an athlete,” Smith said.

Sophomore Tori Howard echoed the sentiments of her coach.

“Having the character empowers you. It’s as if you’re not the one dancing, the character is instead,” Howard said. “You can go all out as a different character. You’re not even yourself.”

Howard’s character is Maria from “West Side Story”.

Howard performs her floor routine to a compilation of songs from West Side Story, music conducive to a very showy, older style of dancing, which is exactly how the sophomore performs.

The gymnasts’ characters are designed to match the music they perform to, in addition to their personality. When paired well, this leads to successful routines for the Tigers.

“If they love the music and the idea behind it, the performance is going to be fantastic, which makes my job 10 times easier,” Smith said. “When they really love the combination and want to perform it for their routine, it all comes together very well.”

Coach Rob Drass couldn’t be more pleased with the impact Smith and her unique techniques have had on the gymnasts.

He gives Smith, whom he regards as “one of the best choreographers in the business,” free-reign when it comes to the character selections, pointing out “that’s her baby.”

Drass believes the addition of a character to play helps to alleviate pressure off the gymnasts.

“It gives them an alternate persona, which allows them to be more comfortable in some of their movements and helps them project a theme for the routine,” Drass said. “It works, and it works well. The kids understand it, and it’s something we will continue to do.”