2026 Gymnastics Roster

Dakota Essenpries
- Height:
- 5-2
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Adrian, Mo.
- High School:
- Adrian High School
- Prev School:
- Arkansas
- Major:
- General Studies
| Year | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
| 2024 (Arkansas) | 9.875 vs. Nebraska (03/15/25) | - | - | - | - |
| 2025 (Arkansas) |
9.900 at NCAA Championship Second Round (04/03/25) |
- |
- | - | - |
| Career Highs | 9.900 at NCAA Championship Second Round (04/03/25) | - | - | - | - |
|
Accolades
9.900 Watch |
SOPHOMORE (2025, ARKANSAS)
- Appeared in every vault lineup for Arkansas, scoring at least 9.850 five times.
- Earned a season and career high 9.900 at the University Park Regional semifinal on April 3, helping the Razorbacks advance to the regional final.
FRESHMAN (2024, ARKANSAS)
- Made nine appearances in the vault lineup.
- Scored a season and career high 9.875 against Nebraska on March 15.
- Competed on vault at the 2024 NCAA Championship Semifinal.
PREP
- Essenpries competed Level 10 at Missouri Elite Gymnastics beginning in 2019.
- Tied for second on vault at the 2023 Development Program Nationals with a 9.850.
- Finished second on vault at the 2023 Region 4 Championships.
- Earned three top-five finishes at the 2023 Missouri State Meet in vault, bars and floor.
- Was the 2022 regional and state vault champion and placed top 10 in all four events at the 2022 regional championships.
- A former four-star prospect and trained under coaches Bethany and Toby Essenpries.
PERSONAL
- Born July 12, 2005, in Overland Park, Kan.
- Daughter of Toby and Bethany Essenpries. Her father graduated from Missouri in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Financial Management Services.
- Majoring in General Studies.
- Lists her most memorable gymnastics moment as setting her personal best on vault and earning second place at the 2025 NCAA Regionals.
- Chose Mizzou because it checked every box for her: strong academics, a supportive athletics environment and a community that felt like home. She grew up a Mizzou fan and is excited to represent the Tigers.
- Excited about the team’s drive and the opportunity to build on last season.
- Team goals include returning to the NCAA Final Four. Individual goals include breaking her personal vault record and working toward earning a spot in an additional lineup.
- Pre-meet routine includes listening to music and visualizing her routines.
- Enjoys watching TV, playing with her dog or finding new crafts and hobbies to try.
- Dreams of coaching club gymnastics and using her experience to guide the next generation of athletes.
- Favorite music service is YouTube Music.
- Top songs from summer 2025 include Ain’t No Cure by Gavin Adcock, Keeps Me Sane by Tyler Nance and Bowery by Zach Bryan feat. Kings of Leon.
Inside Mizzou Athletics - High Marks with Mizzou Gym's Shannon Welker
Friday, April 04
Gymnastics Cinematic vs. Kentucky
Thursday, February 09
Amari Celestine Signing Day Highlights
Wednesday, November 11
Grace Anne Davis Signing Day Highlights
Wednesday, November 11







