Helen Hu attains perfection once again, as Mizzou gymnastics advances to NCAA Regional Final

SEATTLE, Wash. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou gymnastics team, which was powered by a perfect performance from Tiger star Helen Hu, breezed through the second round of NCAA Regional action up in Seattle to advance to Sunday's Regional Final.

Head coach Shannon Welker and company finished with a team score of 197.650, which was more than an entire point ahead of Arizona, who was the second place finisher. Nonetheless, both program punched a ticket to the NCAA Regional Final, on Sunday.

The Tigers shined on the beam up in Seattle, as the team matched its best score in program history with a 49.575. Three Tigers scored a 9.900 in that final rotation, but graduate student Helen Hu headlined the event with perfection. The Chicago-native scored her third perfect 10.000 of the season to round out the meet.

Senior Amari Celestine was the all-around champion in the NCAA Second Round, as she tied her career-high on the vault with a 9.950.

Mizzou claimed the top two spots on the uneven bars, with sophomore Hannah Horton claiming the title on that apparatus with meet-high 9.950. True freshman Olivia Kelly and graduate student Mara Titarsolej finished tied for second place, as each notched a 9.925.

The floor was the only event that Mizzou didn't claim the title on, as the Georgia Bulldogs took the top two spots. Senior Jocelyn Moore was the top-finishing Tiger on that apparatus with a score of 9.900, which put her in third place.

Up next - Coach Welker and his squad will compete in the NCAA Championship Regional Final at 7 p.m. CT in Seattle. If they advance past that round, the Tigers will head to Fort Worth, Texas for the NCAA Championship Semifinal.