The Mizzou gymnastics team opened the 2017 season in record-breaking fashion on Jan. 6, as the squad defeated No. 24 Illinois (194.200) and Ball State (193.625) with a team total of 196.225. T The score was the highest opening meet score in program history, easily surpassing the the 195.350 recorded in the 20016 and 2004 season openers.

Missouri posted totals of 49.200 on bars, 49.175 on beam, 49.075 on floor and 48.775 on vault for their 196.225. 

Individually, juniors Kennedi Harris and Becca Schugel, sophomores Madeleine Huber and Britney Ward and freshman Aspen Tucker all earned wins in the meet. Huber tied for the fifth-highest bars score in Mizzou history with a 9.925 to take the victory on the apparatus, besting her old career high of 9.875. Harris and Schugel each tallied 9.850s on floor to share the win and Ward took top honors on vault with a 9.825. In her first collegiate meet, Tucker earned the all-around victory with a total score of 39.175.

Top Season Opening Scores
1.	196.225	vs. Ball State/Illinois (Jan. 6, 2017)
2.	195.350	vs. Illinois (Jan. 8, 2016)
	195.350	vs. Iowa State (Jan. 11, 2004)
4.	195.050	at Iowa State (Jan. 9, 2009)
5.	194.725	vs. Ohio State (Jan. 8, 2010)