No. 7 Mizzou gymnastics earns win at No. 15 Auburn for the first time in program history

No. 7 Mizzou gymnastics defeated No. 15 Auburn by a score of 197.325-196.700 on Friday in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers earned their first win in history against Auburn on the road. 

This marks the Tigers' fourth Southeastern Conference win of the season, as they also defeated Florida, Kentucky and Arkansas. The score is also Missouri’s highest road total of 2026, which will be key to improving the Tigers' national rankings.

Mizzou dominated the uneven bars, an event it has been improving on. The Tigers earned a 49.425, their second-highest bars score of the season. This tied their highest road score, matching the score they earned at Georgia last week.

Makayla Green earned a season-high in the leadoff with a strong 9.900. Freshman Maiya Terry, who has been clean and consistent week after week, displayed sharp handstands and a stuck dismount to earn a 9.900 as well.

Olivia Kelly also stuck her double back dismount to earn a steady 9.875. Freshman Kimarra Echols stole the show, delivering one of the most difficult routines in the NCAA: a challenging Khorkina release. She brought in a 9.925.

Missouri jumped to vault in the second rotation, tying its season high with a 49.325. Hannah Horton earned a 9.900, followed by Railey Jackson, Echols, and Elise Tisler, who all brought in 9.875s.

Echols displayed superior height and form on her Yurchenko full, a vault that only has a start value of 9.950 instead of 10.0. Horton performed the more challenging Yurchenko 1½ with ease to earn her 9.900.

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On floor, Jackson took a step back on both of her tumbling passes to earn a 9.825. Tisler matched Jackson’s score after landing her opening skill with a low chest and a step back. After an uncharacteristic fall from Ayla Acevedo in the third spot, Kaia Tanskanen elevated the Tigers' score with a 9.850.

Kennedy Griffin and Horton were excellent during their routines, showcasing dynamic and difficult tumbling. Both athletes earned a 9.900, but fans thought the scores were low. Missouri totaled a 49.300, its lowest floor score of the season.

The Tigers had two notable absences in their beam lineup: leadoff Amy Wier and anchor Addison Lawrence. This forced Mizzou to shift the lineup. Jackson, who typically competes later in the rotation, led the Tigers off with a 9.875.

Freshman Hayli Westerlind made her NCAA debut with a 9.800. Kelly was calm throughout her routine, finishing each skill with sharp precision for a 9.900. Lauren Macpherson made her debut in the anchor position, bringing in another 9.900, helping the Tigers to a 49.275.

Missouri will next compete at the SEC Championship. The Tigers will be up against a stacked field as seven of the nine SEC teams are ranked in the top 10.

Missouri will hit the mat at the SEC Championship at 2 p.m. on March 21 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.