Mizzou set to return to SEC action at No. 5 Kentucky

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After securing a non-conference win over Texas Woman's University, Mizzou Gymnastics is heading to Lexington to face No. 5 Kentucky at Rupp Arena. The Tigers enter this meet ranked as the No. 12 team in the nation.

Mizzou's last SEC meet ended with Shannon Welker's crew earning its highest-ranked win in program history, defeating No. 3 LSU 197.325-197.225 in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Hearnes Center. Now, the Tigers are hitting the road, hoping to seal another victory over a top five ranked team.

"I would think most of the people out there are probably like 'Kentucky is going to win this meet' if they're looking at it from the outside-in. We're looking at it like this is a great opportunity, just like when LSU came to us," Shannon Welker said at Wednesday's press conference. "It's great motivation. I think it's exciting. I feel like we have the opportunity to go in and be even more motivated, especially going into Kentucky's house."

You can watch the full press conference with Mizzou gymnastics coach Shannon Welker in the video player below.

Mizzou has won three straight meets and has yet to post a team score below 197.025. Meanwhile, Kentucky also has some momentum leading up to this meet, coming off two straight ranked victories over Alabama and Georgia. Also, the Wildcats have posted three of their highest team scores of the season in their last three outings, including a 197.950 in its last home meet. At Wednesday's press conference, Welker highlighted some of his points of emphasis for his team entering Friday night.

"Let's clean up some landings, and I want to see them attack from the first event. We need to get out and attack right away, so we're going to start on bars, we need to get out and make a statement right away," Welker said.

No. 12 Mizzou will face No. 5 Kentucky on Friday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. at Rupp Arena in Lexington.