As Missouri gymnastics pursued qualification to the NCAA National Gymnastics Championships, they needed to qualify through the regional final in Gainesville, Florida. 

During the regional semifinal, junior Jocelyn Moore earned a 9.900 to contribute to Missouri’s 49.300 floor score. The Tigers continued to roll to vault. Three consecutive 9.900s from Moore, junior Amari Celestine and freshman Hannah Horton helped Missouri score a 49.375 on vault. 

On bars, senior Mara Titarsolej led the Tigers by scoring a 9.950 and aiding in a a 49.475 on the event. The semifinal came down to the last routine, and graduate Sienna Schreiber clinched Missouri’s spot in the regional final by earning a 9.900 on beam. The Tigers earned a 49.300 for the event and had a total score of 197.525 to edge out Georgia by one-tenth. 

In order to qualify for nationals, Missouri gymnastics needed a top-two finish in the regional final. Competing against Florida, Michigan State and Utah, the Tigers fell short, finishing third with a score of 197.325. 

The Tiger got things going on floor, with Michigan State on vault, Utah on bars and Florida on beam. Schreiber started Missouri with a 9.900 on floor. The Tigers continued to excel up with Horton and Celestine earning 9.900s. Freshman Kennedy Griffin earned a  9.950 moving the Tigers to 49.525 on the floor.

Michigan State was up and down on vault. Sophomore Olivia Zsarmani stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 and earned a 9.950. However, sophomore Nikki Smith fell and earned a 9.400. Sophomore Sage Kellerman reeled the score back in, sticking her vault and earning a 9.975 to give the Spartans a 49.425. 

Utah got off to a shaky start, with sophomore Makenna Smith going over on a handstand and only securing a 9.500. The Utes had to go through the rest of their rotation cleanly in order to drop that score. Despite a strong 9.950 from Junior Grace McCallum, Senior Alani Sabado fell and earned a 9.200. Utah dropped the 9.200, forcing the team to count a 9.500, amounting to a total of 48.975.

The Gators were 9.900 machines on beam. Junior Sloane Blakely scored a 9.925 and senior Ellie Lazzari a 9.950. Florida took the lead after rotation one with a 49.600 on beam.

After one rotation, Florida was in first, Missouri in second, Michigan State in third, and Utah in fourth. 

Schreiber led the Missouri vault rotation by sticking her Yurchenko full and scoring a solid 9.850. Celestine stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 and earned a 9.925. The Tigers finished with a 49.275. 

The Gators did not let the pressure get to them. Senior Victoria Nguyen earned a huge 9.925 to leadoff, freshman Anya Pilgrim and junior Leanne Wong earned a 9.950. The Gators scored a total of 49.650. 

The Spartans were a little shaky on the bars, as senior Skyla Schulte earned a 9.725 in the leadoff position. Kellermann and Junior Gabrielle Stephens earned 9.775’s and sophomore Olivia Szarmani scored a 9.750. 

After the shaky bar rotation, Utah needed to bring it back on the beam. Junior Amelie Morgan and Smith each scored a 9.900. McCallum followed with a fall on her flight series and earned a 9.350. Graduate Maile O’Keefe helped to recover the rotation by scoring a 9.950. Utah earned a total of 49.475 in the event.

Heading into the third rotation, Florida led 99.250, Missouri was in second with a 98.800, Utah was in third with a 98.450 and Michigan State was in fourth with a 98.425. 

The Tigers flew to bars in the third rotation. Senior Kyra Burns stuck her double-layout dismount and scored a 9.825. Missouri then struggled to break the 9.9 barrier. Despite a routine filled with high flying releases and a stuck dismount, senior Amaya Marshall scored a 9.875. Schreiber followed Marshall with a 9.850 and Moore with a 9.875. Senior Mara Titarsolej earned a 9.875 to give the Tigers a total of 49.275. 

The Gators continued to sail through the vault. Freshman Skylar Draser started them off with a stuck landing and earned a 9.925. Wong and Lazzari scored a 9.925, securing a total of 49.575 for Florida. 

Michigan State attempted to bring it back on beam. Senior Giana Kalefe led with a 9.9, but senior Baliegh Garcia and Stephens both fell, earning a 9.275 and a 9.325 to earn a total of 48.675 for the event. 

Utah rallied on the floor, as Smith earned a solid 9.900 and graduate Abby Paulson followed with a huge 9.950. McCallum finished the event with a 9.900 and the Utes earned a 49.625. 

Heading into the final rotation, Florida led with a 148.825, Utah and Missouri were tied with a 148.075 and Michigan State were in fourth with a 147.100. 

Junior Grace Anne Davis started the Tigers off with a shaky start on beam, as a big wobble led to a 9.800. Freshman Rayna Light followed with a fall and earned a 9.000. The Struggles continued after Griffin scored a disappointing 9.775. Schreiber completed her gymnastics career with a beautiful routine that scored 9.950. The Tigers earned a total of 49.250. 

Utah found their rhythm on the vault. Sophomore Ashley Glynn earned a 9.900, and Smith stuck her vault to earn a 9.950. Graduate Jaedyn Rucker followed by also sticking her vault and earned a 9.950. 

Florida then sealed their ticket to NCAA Nationals. Pilgrim earned a 9.925 and Draser earned a 9.900 on bars. Wong sealed the deal with a great routine that earned her 9.925 to boost the Gators to a 49.500. 

Michigan State finished on floor, earning a 49.525. 

Florida won the meet at 198.325, Utah finished in second with a 197.575, Missouri finished third with a 197.325 and Michigan State came in fourth with a 196.625. 

Florida and Utah will move on to the NCAA National Gymnastics Championships, Missouri narrowly missed out, but Mara Titarsolej will compete as an individual on uneven bars for Missouri. 

Edited by Dylan Heinrich

Edited by Grace Knight

Edited by Scout Hudson