No. 7 Mizzou gymnastics secures highest-ranked win in program history
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
No. 7 Mizzou gymnastics was in control from start-to-finish in Friday night's historic upset over No. 2 Florida, toppling the Gators 197.200-196.500.
That win over Florida marked Mizzou's highest-ranked win in program history in the Tigers' third-ever win over the Gators. Head coach Shannon Welker and company are 5-3 on the season.
The Tigers took control out of the gates, with a strong opening rotation on the vault. Sophomore Kaia Tanskanen stole the show on that apparatus for MU, notching a career-best 9.875 for the best Tiger score of the night. She ended up third on that event, overall, with a pair of Gators claiming first and second place.
Mizzou maintained control on the uneven bars, as well, exiting that rotation with a 0.675 lead over Florida. True freshman Maiya Terry claimed the event crown for the Tigers. In just her third time competing with her routine, Terry earned a career-best 9.9 to send MU to the midway point of the meet.
On the beam, Coach Welker's team ended up with a pair of 9.9+ scores.
Sophomore Olivia Kelly tied her career-best of a 9.9 for the seventh time, while senior Addison Lawrence grabbed a career-best tying 9.950. That marked the fifth time in sixth meets that Lawrence has finished with that very score.
The fab floor managed to seal the deal on Mizzou's historic victory, as the Tigers ended up with three 9.925's, courtesy of sophomore Ayla Acevedo, Tankskanen and junior Kennedy Griffin. That trio all shared a piece of the floor title, on Friday night, tying for first place.
Tanskanen grabbed the all-around title in the event.
Up next - Mizzou will travel to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday, Feb. 13. First touch is set for 6 p.m.
