While the goal of most NCAA collegiate gymnastics programs is to qualify for Regionals as a team, it does not always happen.   Only the top 36 ranked teams have the opportunity to compete at one of the six regional competitions.

The University of Missouri was one of the teams to just miss the cut off.

Fortunately, three Missouri gymnasts qualified to continue on to the Fayetteville Regional hosted by the University of Arkansas on April 5, 2014.

Junior Rachel Updike was chosen as the vault event specialist. This season, she has consistently scored a 9.85 or higher with her yurchenko full.  After missing a few weeks mid-season due to injury, Rachel returned for the SEC championships where she scored a 9.9 on vault.

This marks Rachel’s third consecutive qualification to an NCAA regional.

After missing all of the 2012-2013 season, junior Rebecca Johnson has come back stronger than ever, especially on uneven bars.  Throughout the year, Johnson has improved and now averages a solid 9.825. Her consistency has earned her the position to be an alternate on uneven bars this weekend.

Freshman Angie Kern has also qualified as an alternate on floor exercise with an RQS of 9.795.  Angie’s energetic yet mesmerizing routine scored well with the judges all year.  Great things are expected from her in the future.

Competition in Fayetteville begins at 4pm this Saturday.