COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri gymnastics has signed graduate transfer Sara Wabi from Illinois State, head coach Shannon Welker announced on Friday. 

The Chicago native joins the Tigers after four seasons with the Redbirds, helping lead the team win the 2023 and 2025 Midwest Independent Conference (MIC) Championship and a trio of All-MIC First Team recognitions during her senior season. Wabi's performance earned her a bid to compete on bars as an individual in the Seattle Regional of the 2025 NCAA Championships. 

"We are thrilled to welcome another high-level transfer to our program," Welker said. "Sara is an elite competitor and brings great experience after competing at Illinois State for the last four years. She is a huge addition to our uneven bars squad – we cannot wait to begin working with her." 
 
In 2024, Wabi saw action on floor and bars in every meet and was named to the All-MIC Second Team on both bars and floor at the MIC Championship. She scored 9.875 or better nine times during the season.

Wabi's first collegiate meet came in 2023, where she competed on floor for the entirety of her sophomore year. She earned All-Midwest Independent Conference First Team honors on beam and bars that season as well. 

Before college, Wabi competed for Aspire Gymnastics Academy. During the 2021 Illinois State Meet, she placed second on bars, fourth on beam, seventh on floor, eighth on vault and fourth in the all-around.

Daughter to Steve and Sheryl Wabi, Sara was born on November 20, 2002.

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