Pair of Mizzou gymnasts earn All-America honors
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Mizzou gymnastics team is in the midst of preparation for NCAA Regional action, on Friday. But, on Monday, a couple of Tiger gymnasts learned they will carry All-America honors with them into this postseason run.
On Monday, the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) announced that senior Addison Lawrence and freshman Kimarra Echols each earned All-American nods. Lawrence was named to the Regular Season Balance Beam First Team, while Echols earned Uneven Bars Second Team honors.
Echols is just the second Mizzou freshman to ever earn an All-America nod in her debut season and the first since Helen Hu in 2020. Meanwhile, Lawrence is the third gymnast in program history to be placed on the All-America First Team for the balance beam.
"Addison and Kimarra have been consistent all season and this recognition reflects the level they've competed at week in and week out," head coach Shannon Welker said in a press release. "Addison has been rock solid on beam, and Kimarra has made an immediate impact on bars as a freshman. We're proud of both of them and what they've contributed to our success."
Lawrence has anchored MU's beam lineup throughout the entire 2026 campaign. Her senior season has been highlighted by five scores of 9.950 during the regular-season, including in consecutive meets against Alabama, LSU and Florida. Most recently, at the SEC Championship, Lawrence posted a 9.925 on the beam
The senior was in a league of her own, especially to start the 2026 season. She opened up the year with five scores of 9.950 on the beam in the team's first six meets. That made her one of just three gymnasts in the nation with five or more marks of 9.950 or higher through week six of competition.
Echols made splash the second she stepped on campus. Despite never having experienced the pressure of SEC gymnastics before, the freshman posted a season-high 9.950 twice in her debut season, including at Alabama and against at Kentucky during the regular-season. She opened up her collegiate career against Iowa State by posting a 9.900 and went on to record scores of at least that or better in five meets.
She earned All-SEC honors for her first year in the black and gold, after capping off the regular-season with a 9.900 at the SEC Championship.
Echols and Lawrence's honors increase Mizzou's regular-season All-America total to 22, including eight first-team selection and 14 second-team honors.
Up next - No. 8 Mizzou will compete in the NCAA Championship Second Round of the Lexington Regional on Friday at noon CT. The Tigers compete as the No. 2 seed against No. 9 Arkansas, No. 21 North Carolina State and No. 27 Maryland at Historic Memorial Coliseum.
