Mizzou gymnastics earns highest preseason ranking in program history
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The 2026 season hasn't even gotten started yet and the Mizzou gymnastics team is already making history.
On Tuesday, the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) announced their preseason rankings. The Tigers landed at No. 7, which is the highest preseason ranking the program has ever earned, improving on their previous high of No. 9 in both 2023 and 2025.
In addition to Mizzou's third Top-10 preseason ranking in the last four seasons, the Tigers were also one of five teams to earn multiple first-place votes. That national recognition comes after MU ended the 2025 campaign with their best finish in program history, ending up third in the NCAA Championship Final.
“Being ranked seventh in the WCGA preseason poll is a reflection of the work our student-athletes and staff have put in to build this program the right way,” Mizzou head coach Shannon Welker said in a press release. “It speaks to the consistency, belief and standard that now exists at Mizzou gymnastics. We don’t put a lot of emphasis on preseason numbers, but earning the highest ranking in program history shows the respect this team has gained nationally. Our focus remains on continuing to improve every day and being at our best when it matters most.”
The preseason poll also shows just how dominant the Southeastern Conference is set to be in 2026.
All nine conference squads appear in the Top-12 of the WCGA preseason poll, led by the reigning national champion Oklahoma Sooners. You can find a full look at the poll below.
- Oklahoma
- LSU
- Florida
- UCLA
- Utah
- Michigan State
- Mizzou
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Arkansas
- Auburn
- Georgia
- Stanford
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Denver
- Oregon State
- Arizona
- Clemson
- California
- Ohio State
- Iowa
- North Carolina State
- North Carolina
- Arizona State
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- Maryland
- Southern Utah
- BYU
- Illinois
- Boise State
- Utah State
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Rutgers
Mizzou gymnastics is getting ready for a gauntlet ahead. Fun fact: all of Mizzou's 13 opponents in the upcoming slate are ranked or receiving votes in the inaugural WCGA poll.
Up next - Mizzou will open up the season hosting Iowa State at Mizzou Arena Sunday, Jan. 4. The meet will begin 2 p.m.
