Mizzou gymnastics began its 2026 season in a new arena and in entertaining fashion against the Iowa State Cyclones.
The Tigers, while not able to eclipse their all-time season opening score of 197.15, finished with a final tally of 196.850. Behind dominant performances from Hannah Horton in multiple apparatuses, Horton led the Tigers by winning three event titles to start her junior season under head coach Shannon Welker.
Horton took home the highest vault score with a 9.875 and met highs of 9.925 on both uneven bars and floor rotations. The Tigers built momentum early and ended strong with the help of Horton.
“I was a little nervous, but I just trusted the work I’ve been putting in,” Horton said. “I’m really glad I was able to compete the way I did and help the team.”
Another standout moment came on floor, where sophomore Ayla Acevedo made her collegiate debut and delivered a 9.900 in the second spot of the lineup.
Acevedo’s routine drew an emotional response from her teammates, who have watched her continuously work toward that moment.
“It made my heart so happy,” senior Addison Lawrence said. “We’ve seen how hard she’s worked, and she went out there and showed up.”
Tigers start the season strong with multiple wins
Mizzou opened the meet on vault, highlighted by Horton and Railey Jackson each earning 9.875s to share the event title, while freshman Kimarra Echols added a 9.850 in her collegiate debut. The anchor, Elise Tisler scored a 9.800 and the Tigers ultimately ended with a 49.200 on vault.
Missouri began to set a tone with a 49.450 on bars, Lawrence led off with a 9.900, tying her career high, while Lauren Macpherson scored a 9.875 in her first routine of the season. Her 2025 campaign saw her sidelined for the season due to injury and in her first meet back she made an impact.
The momentum continued for Missouri on beam, Amy Wier and Macpherson both tallied 9.900’s and Lawrence won the event with her 9.950 as the team’s anchor on the rotation.
Last year’s legacy of the “fab floor,” continued to carry over to 2026 for Missouri.
Tisler led off with a 9.900, before Acevedo followed with her debut routine. Horton anchored the rotation with her second 9.925 of the afternoon, putting the icing on the cake to the opening meet for the Tigers in their new home.
“It's great to be in the arena,” Welker said. “I thought we did a nice job tonight, especially on opening weekend, really proud of the things we were trying to accomplish and things we were trying to start with this year.”