Missouri Tigers gymnastics team advances to sixth straight NCAA Regional Final
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- Mizzou scored 196.875 to place second and reach its sixth straight Regional Final.
- Beam miscues produced a 48.950, prompting coach Welker to refocus the team.
- Strong floor and vault showings sealed advancement; Regional Final Sunday at 4 p.m.
The No. 8-ranked Mizzou gymnastics team advanced to its sixth consecutive NCAA Regional Final after placing second at the NCAA Championships second-round event on Friday in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Tigers scored a 196.875, putting them behind No. 9 Arkansas (197.175) but ahead of Maryland (195.775) and N.C. State (195.700).
After the first session of competition, Missouri junior Hannah Horton was tied with Arkansas' Joscelyn Roberson for the lead on floor, and she is tied with Arkansas' Morgan Price for first on bars. Both routines earned scores of 9.925.
The Tigers faced adversity in the second rotation on beam, as they scored the lowest on that event. Railey Jackson led with a 9.850 after a stuck dismount, and Olivia Kelly later matched that score.
Amy Wier, who competed in the second position, earned a 9.725 after missing her leap connection and having to repeat the skill. Kaia Tanskanen followed with a 9.775 after a wobble on her flight series and dismount.
Lauren Macpherson earned a 9.750 after a major wobble and a step back on her dismount, and Addison Lawrence took a fall during her routine to bring in a 9.150 that had to be dropped.
With all of the miscues, Missouri earned a 48.950 total on beam. Mizzou coach Shannon Welker took time to motivate and refocus his team before heading into the floor rotation.
"Make sure you hold your landings," Welker told his squad. "Let's do what we're capable of doing."
The Tigers certainly held their landings and more as Missouri found its footing on floor, earning a 49.450.
Jackson opened with a strong 9.850, and Elise Tisler executed two controlled landings for a 9.875. Tanskanen nailed a stuck full twisting-double back in her first pass to earn a 9.900.
Horton delivered an engaging routine to the music of Tyler, The Creator. A sky-high double layout led her to a rotation-high 9.925.
"This year, this routine actually brought me out of my shell," Horton said. "Every single year, I'm getting better and better at performing."
The Tigers began the meet on bars. Makayla Green earned a 9.775 in the lead-off position after a sizable step back on her dismount. Macpherson matched Green's score. Welker is hoping to see his Tigers loosen up in the event Sunday.
"We just need to be a little more aggressive there to open up, and we'll be fine," Welker said.
Maiya Terry had the first stuck dismount of the rotation for a 9.900, the fifth score of 9.900 or better for the freshman this season.
"It's everything I ever dreamed of," Terry said. "I wasn't really sure of myself coming to college. I think just being able to do that week after week has been such a confidence booster."
Horton followed with a strong routine for a 9.925. Freshman Kimarra Echols, who became the second MU freshman in program history to earn WCGA Regular-Season All-America honors (Uneven Bars Second Team All-America), earned a 9.800 to assist the Tigers to a 49.200 total.
Missouri ended its meet on vault, clinching a spot in the NCAA Regional Final. Jackson delivered a clean Yurchenko 1½, bringing in a 9.850. Horton and Echols both earned 9.900 to close the meet.
The Tigers will compete in the NCAA Regional Final at 4 p.m. Sunday. They will face Arkansas and the top two finishers from Session 2. Missouri will have to finish in the top two to advance to the NCAA Championships Semifinal in Fort Worth, Texas.
Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published April 4, 2026 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Missouri Tigers gymnastics team advances to sixth straight NCAA Regional Final."