COLUMBIA, Mo. - Fans of the Mizzou gymnastics team will get their first look at the 2016 squad on Friday, Dec. 11 at the annual Black and Gold Meet at 7 p.m. at the Hearnes Center. Admission to the meet is free.

The event serves as an exhibition meet, with the Tigers running through lineups and routines on all four events beginning on vault and rotating to bars, beam and floor. Judges will score the performances as they would in a regular-season competition.

The Tigers officially open the 2016 campaign at home against Illinois on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Beauty and the Beast event. The season also features four additional home competitions, including a matchup against Georgia at Mizzou Arena, and four nationally televised meets.

The 2016 squad features seven returners from last year's team and eight freshman. Last season, the Tigers were the nation's most improved team, jumping a full 20 spots in the end of year rankings fom 2014 to 2015. Last year's Mizzou squad qualified for its first NCAA Regional since 2012 and ended ranked 21st in the nation.

Season tickets are on sale for $20 for adults and $12 for youth and seniors (55+). Fans wishing to purchase season tickets can contact the Missouri athletic ticket office by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS or email tickets@missouri.edu.

For the latest information on all things Mizzou Gymnastics, check-in to MUTigers.com. You can also follow the Tigers on social media, by liking us on Facebook (Facebook.com/MizzouGymnastics) and following us on Twitter (@MizzouGym) and Instagram (Mizzou_Gymnastics).