After a break from SEC competition last week, Missouri gymnastics faced the powerful Kentucky Wildcats. Despite a strong first three rotations, the Tigers fell with a final score of 197.350-196.600.

In road meet fashion, Missouri began on uneven bars. Senior Kyra Burns started the Tigers off by scoring a 9.800. Senior Hollyn Patrick built momentum for Missouri by sticking the double layout dismount and earning a 9.900, as did junior Jocelyn Moore. Senior Mara Titarsolej, bars specialist, executed a near perfect routine with a score of 9.950. Missouri scored a total of 49.425 on bars, the highest bars score for the Tigers this season so far.

The Kentucky Wildcats had an exhilarating start to their meet on vault. Graduate Raena Worley scored a solid 9.900 and junior Mackenzie Wilson closed the rotation by earning a 9.950, giving Kentucky a total score of 49.500 and the lead over Missouri by just 0.025. 

In the second rotation, Missouri sprung to vault while Kentucky was on bars. Graduate Sienna Schreiber led the rotation by nearly sticking her Yurchenko-full and scoring a 9.800. Junior Amari Celestine elevated the energy for the Tigers after taking a small hop on her landing and scoring a 9.850. Moore and Horton ended the rotation with two 9.900s and clean vaults. Missouri finished with a total vault score of 49.250.  

Kentucky continued to build momentum in the second rotation. Senior Hailey Davis executed a strong routine that earned her a 9.850. Worley showcased her gracefulness on bars and earned a 9.950, which gave the Wildcats a total score of 49.300. After the second rotation, Kentucky led Missouri 98.800-98.675

In the third rotation, Missouri moved to their strongest event — the “Fab Floor.” Schreiber started the Tigers off strong with a 9.850. Freshman Hannah Horton showcased confidence on floor, finishing her routine with an incredible final pass that helped her earn a 9.875. Celestine amplified Horton’s routine by scoring a 9.950, and Moore wrapped the rotation by showcasing a huge double layout and matching her career high of 9.975. Missouri showcased the reason for their nickname and earned a massive 49.525. 

While on the floor, Kentucky showed signs of nerves on beam as freshman Cecily Rizo fell and scored a 9.125. Graduate Arianna Patterson also struggled during her beam routine, scoring a 9.600. Senior Isabella Magnelli finished her beam rotation by nearly falling on her flight series and scoring a 9.650. Kentucky wrapped up the beam with a total score of 48.800, their lowest score on the event of the season. 

Heading into the final rotation, the Tigers led by 0.4 points, a huge margin. The pressure may have affected Celestine, as she fell on her front tuck and scored a 8.900.  Freshman Rayna Light and Senior Amaya Marshall also struggled on beam, scoring a 9.675 and a 9.750 respectively. Junior Grace Anne Davis recovered Missouri on beam earning a 9.850. Schreiber wrapped Missouri’s beam rotation by also falling and scoring a 9.375.  The total score of 48.400 is Missouri’s lowest beam score of the season. 

The Wildcats took advantage of Missouri’s mistakes on beam by rallying on the floor. Wilson scored a 9.925 and Magnelli scored a 9.950. Davis followed by scoring another 9.950. Worley brought Kentucky the win by scoring a near perfect 9.975.

The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Missouri Tigers 197.350-196.600.  Moore won the floor title with a 9.975 and Titarsolej won bars with a 9.950. The Tigers may have had a disappointing finish to their meet, but they showcased some of their strongest routines of the season so far. They look to bounce back in the Mizzou to the Lou quad meet Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 PM. 

Edited by Grace Ainger | gainger@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Grace Knight

Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com