Missouri gymnastics was on track to have one of its best seasons yet with a deep squad of young talent driving the program’s success. That depth will now be put to the test as the team has lost sophomore Morgan Porter to a season-ending injury.

On Wednesday it was announced that the sophomore from Overland, Missouri tore the Achilles tendon in her left foot during the Tigers’ home meet against Alabama.

The injury came while Porter was warming up for her routine. After tumbling into a flip, Porter landed on her foot incorrectly and was unable to get up. She was then carried off of the floor and later returned to the meet on crutches to watch her teammates. Porter had surgery to repair the tendon on Tuesday.

Porter is one of the Tigers’ top gymnasts and earned several accolades during her freshman campaign. In the 2016 season, she was named SEC Freshman of the Year, becoming the first Mizzou gymnast to earn the honor. She was also an all-around qualifier for the NCAA Championships, the program’s first since Rachel Updike in 2012.

Porter is looking to redshirt this season in order to obtain another year of eligibility, which would allow her to continue to compete with the Tigers for the next three seasons.

“We expect Morgan to make a full recovery,” head coach Shannon Welker said in a press release. “We’re excited to have her back next season. She’s strong and will put a lot of time into her rehab and will be up and running and as good as new next year.”

For now, the Tigers will have to continue their season with Porter on the sidelines.

Mizzou is set to compete against No. 12 Georgia on Friday at 6 p.m. in Athens, Georgia.

_Edited by Eli Lederman | elederman@themaneater.com_