NORMAN, Okla. - The Mizzou gymnastics team scored a 196.100 to finish fourth at the 2015 NCAA Norman Regional on Saturday, April 4 in Norman, Oklahoma. The score stands as the second highest NCAA Regional tally in program history, short of just the 196.500 recorded in 2010, and was the team's second score over 196.000 in 2015.
Oklahoma and Oregon State advanced to the NCAA Championships with scores of 197.625 and 196.775, respectively. Southern Utah finished third with a 196.275, while North Carolina State was fifth (195.775) and Penn State placed sixth (195.150).
Senior Laura Kappler placed fourth in the all-around competition with a career high tying 39.200, missing an NCAA Championships qualifying spot by just 0.225. She also tied for third on beam after a 9.875, while redshirt senior Katelyn Trevino and freshman Shauna Miller both tied for fourth on bars with scores of 9.850.
The Tigers opened the meet with a solid vault rotation, notching a 49.000 to kick things off. The total marked the team's fifth score of 49.000 or higher on the event this season. Miller, vaulting for the first time since Feb. 20, posted a team high 9.850, followed closely behind by classmate Kennedi Harris, who recorded a career high 9.825. Kappler earned a 9.800, freshman Becca Schugel had a 9.775 and sophomore Angie Kern notched a 9.750.
A career high 9.850 from Trevino led Missouri to a team tally of 48.950 on bars, upping its team score to 97.950. It marked the third meet in a row Trevino set or tied a personal best on the event. Miller continued her strong day with a 9.850 as well, while Schugel had a 9.800. Senior Becca Johnson added a 9.750 on the event.
Mizzou stayed in the hunt with a 49.075 on beam, the team's second highest score of the year, to put their running score at 147.025. Kappler's 9.875 paced the Tigers, which was Kappler's seventh straight routine of 9.800 or higher on the event. Sophomore Alyson Heimsath had the best beam routine of her career, notching a 9.825, while freshmen Tia Allbritten and Miller added 9.800s.
After a bye in the fifth rotation, Missouri closed out the meet with a 49.075 on floor for its 196.100 team total. Harris had a team high 9.850, her 10th consecutive floor routine of 9.800 or better. Seniors Kappler and Briana Conkle had strong performances to earn 9.825s, while Kern notched a 9.800.