COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri gymnastics team is ranked 19th in the nation in the preseason coaches poll, announced by the site Road to Nationals on Sunday, Dec. 11. It marks the highest preseason ranking for the Tigers since they were chosen 13th prior to the 2011 season.
This year's preseason ranking also marks the second year in a row Mizzou was among the top 25 teams in the preseason poll, as the Tigers were selected 23rd prior to the 2016 campaign.
The 2017 regular season schedule features 12 matchups with 10 teams ranked in the top 25, including meets against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 LSU, No. 3 Alabama, No. 5 Florida, No. 8 Auburn and No. 9 Georgia. Missouri will take on both LSU and Georgia twice during 2017. Additionally, every single home meet will feature at least one opponent ranked in the preseason top 25.
The 2017 squad features 13 returners from last year's team and four freshmen. Last season, the Tigers finished ranked 19th nationally and finished third at the NCAA Minneapolis Regional, the team's highest regional finish since 2010.
Missouri officially opens the season on Friday, Jan. 6 when the team hosts Ball State and No. 24 Illinois at 7 p.m. at the Hearnes Center.
Road to Nationals Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Oklahoma (47)
2. LSU (11)
3. Alabama (5)
4. UCLA (5)
5. Florida (2)
6. Utah (2)
7. Michigan
8. Auburn
9. Georgia
10. California
11. Stanford
12. Nebraska
13. Oregon State
14. Denver
15. Boise State
16. Minnesota
17. Arkansas
18. Arizona
19. Missouri
20. Washington
21. Kentucky
22. Iowa
23. Penn State
24. Illinois-Champaign
25. Georgia Washington