Hu posts perfect score, Mizzou defeats Arkansas to end regular season

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KMIZ)

No. 7 Mizzou Gymnastics has posted its best single-season SEC record in program history.

The Tigers (13-4) wrapped up the regular season with a 197.800-197.225 win over No. 16 Arkansas to clinch a 5-3 conference record and the program's most victories over SEC opponents in a single campaign. Additionally, MU's second-best score in program history sealed a spot in Session II of the SEC Championships, marking the team's first-ever appearance in the primetime slot.

Head Coach Shannon Welker also reached 100 career wins, following the victory at Bud Walton Arena.

Friday's win was highlighted by MU's third perfect score of the season. Helen Hu achieved perfection on beam for the second time this year, earning the event title and guiding the Tigers to a 49.575 score on that apparatus. The Chicago native is just the second MU gymnast to score two perfect 10's in the same campaign.

Addison Lawrence (9.950) and Olivia Kelly (9.900) also hit the 9.900-mark with their respective beam routines while Railey Jackson set a new career-best with a 9.875 performance.

MU began the meet by matching its fifth-best tally in program history on bars. Mara Titarsolej was crowned the winner on that event with a 9.975 performance, helping lift the team to a 49.450 team score with her third consecutive routine of 9.950 or better. All six of MU's participating gymnasts scored at least a 9.800 on that apparatus, and Kelly and Kyra Burns also hit the 9.900-threshold.

Mizzou also tied its season-high score on vault during the next rotation. The Tigers recorded a 49.375 in that event, lifted by a meet-best 9.950 career-high routine from Hannah Horton. Again, MU showcased its consistency on that apparatus, ending with six scores of 9.800 or better on vault.

In addition, the Tigers reached the 49.400-mark on floor for the eighth time this season, featuring four routines of 9.875 or higher from Amari Celestine (9.925), Elise Tisler (9.875), Kennedy Griffin (9.875) and Jocelyn Moore (9.875). Celestine's 9.925 cemented the senior with a share of the event title.

Up next - Mizzou will compete in the evening session of the conference championships alongside Oklahoma, LSU and Florida for the first time in its SEC era. First touch is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at 6 p.m. from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.