By Chelsea Roemer

No. 6 Missouri gymnastics defeated No. 12 Arkansas 195.850-193.950 in its first away meet of the 2016-17 season. Mizzou’s score of 195.850 is the second-highest road score in program history. The record of 196.050 was set at New Hampshire in 2004.

Mizzou improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Southeastern Conference meets. Sophomore Morgan Porter earned victories for best all-around performance, bars and floor to lead the Tigers.

The gymnasts started the meet on bars, scoring a total of 48.825. Porter led the pack, scoring a 9.825, and sophomore Madeleine Huber came in second with a 9.775. In her first away meet for the Tigers, freshman Aspen Tucker earned an impressive 9.775. After the first rotation, Mizzou led the Razorbacks 48.825-48.775.

Vault was the second rotation, and the Tigers achieved a season-high score of 49.225, the highest score the team has earned in any event this season. Brittany Ward tied her career best of 9.925 and held the highest score of the meet overall. Junior Kennedi Harris scored a 9.875, another season high. After the second rotation, Mizzou still led 98.050-96.125 over the Razorbacks.

Floor routines were up next for the third rotation. Porter led the team with a 9.875 for her routine. Both Harris and Tucker tallied scores of 9.775, and junior Becca Shugal scored a 9.750 to add to the overall score. The Tigers continued to hold off the Razorbacks after the third rotation, 146.925-144.900.

The fourth and final rotation was the beam. Shugel and sophomore Brooke Kelly performed their best, earning team-high scores of 9.825. Junior Tia Allbritten scored a 9.800, and sophomore Allison Bower scored a 9.775. Overall, the Tigers out-performed the Razorbacks in every event, bringing their total to 195.850.

Porter was the team’s star, claiming the all-around title with a score of 9.875 on floor and 9.825 on the bars. In addition, sophomore Brittany Ward won her second vault title with a score of 9.925.

On Jan. 15, the Tigers will compete against Lindenwood and Southeast Missouri State. The meet will begin at 3 p.m. at Lindenwood in St. Charles.

Edited by Eli Lederman | elederman@themaneater.com