Spring Break Eve coverage, featuring: gymnastics All-Americans, baseball injuries

Mar 24, 2023 - 10:00 AM

It’s almost Mizzou Spring Break!

I know it doesn’t impact many of us (unless you’re a student, of course), but as we head into the University’s spring vacay period, it does seem to influence the news coverage... or lack thereof. We’re in a bit of a lull here, folks, as Mizzou’s basketball seasons have finished (sad face), football is on hiatus with the exception of today’s Pro Day, and let’s face it, whether or not the coverage is deserving — IT IS!!!! — there’s not a ton of extraneous articles about the less revenue-producing sports. (I despise the term “non-revenue.”)

Let’s get started with what has become one of my favorite sports: GYMNASTICS!

HUGE congrats to senior Helen Hu and sophomore Jocelyn Moore on being awarded All-American honors by the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association, per MUTigers.com.

Hu earned second-team honors on the balance beam, and is currently tied for 9th nationally with a national qualifying score (NQS) of 9.945 heading into NCAA Regionals in LA next week.

Hu-ey was amazing all season long on beam, winning the event four times and scoring 9.9 or above 8 times (out of 11). Feast your eyes on her scores: 9.9 (1); 9.925 (2); 9.95 (4); 9.975 (1). How many times should she have received a 10.0, you ask? At least 3. She’s incredible. Here’s a 9.95. WHERE’S THE DEDUCTIONS, JUDGES?

This is Moore’s second straight year of earning the honor, and is currently tied for 5th nationally on the vault with an NQS of 9.940 heading into Regionals next week.

After several meets early on in the season when our girl Joci was ROBBED of that 10.00, she finally was awarded one — just the third awarded in program history — on February 19 against Auburn. Further showcasing her dominance, Joci won this particular event 7 times and scored 9.9 or more in 6 meets. Just look at it: 10.0 (1, links to my NSFW tweet); 9.975 (1), 9.95 (2), 9.925 (1), 9.90 (1). Moore also was the Co-SEC Champion of the vault at the SEC Championships last weekend.

Moving on to more distressing news...

This is sad news for a Tigers team who is off to an H-O-T start (their best since 2017). Fortunately, the Tigers have pitching depth and should be able to manage without him. Their next test? This weekend against #4/9 South Carolina (20-2, 3-0 SEC), who is fresh off a weekend road sweep of Georgia and a midweek loss to UNC-Charlotte (9-11).

Per MUTigers.com, tonight will mark the 31st meeting of the two Columbia-based teams, which the Gamecocks holding a 17-13 edge overall and 10-2 at home. Last year, the Tigers took two of three in CoMo, earning their fourth straight home series win of U of SC. Kortay will have your preview later on today.

On to the Links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• A new BTBS pod with Nate & BK said: It’s time to talk about the offensive line.
• Sam told us how to watch the NCAA Tourney: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Basketball GameDay: info, where to watch, odds
• Sam updated the Mizzou Basketball 2023 Transfer Tracker with the newest info.
• Make sure to give Dan’s spicy take a read: Mizzou: Overachieving in the Most Disappointing Way Possible
• Since I wrote it late last night, check out my softball recap: Tigers remain undefeated in midweek tilts, beat Drake 7-1
• BOOKMARK THIS: Watkins’ offseason roster movement headquarters

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More Links:

Hoops

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read Matter’s newest (subscriber) chat
• Columbia Missourian: MU women’s basketball faced with plenty of questions following disappointing 2022-23 campaign (Parker Gillam) | MU’s Hodge to compete in 3-point contest in Houston (Jaden Lewis)
• KC Star: Listen to the KC SportsBeat podcast with Blair Kerkhoff: What’s next for Mizzou hoops after Dennis Gates’ excellent first season in Columbia?
• Columbia Tribune: Who could leave, and who could be incoming: What could Mizzou basketball look like next season? (Chris Kwiecinski)
• PowerMizzou: Looking ahead to Mizzou’s offseason (Drew King) | Listen to the PowerMizzou Live: wrap-up (King & Gabe DeArmond)
• In NIL news: I’m not sure if everyone was aware of this, but international students on student visas are not able to take advantage of name, image and likeness deals in the states. Really unfortunate, and hope it gets worked out for future student-athletes.

• The season isn’t over for D’Moi Hodge, who will be taking part in the 3-Point Championship in Houston! Read more at MUTigers.com!

• Make sure you check out this piece by Rock M’s own Lauren Rosenberg, who talked with Sara-Rose Smith about her journey from Australia to Mizzou.

Other Mizzou Sports

• Football: WR target Kylen Evans enjoys Missouri visit, planning return trip (Sean Williams, PowerMizzou) | Veteran defensive coach David Blackwell joins the Missouri staff (MUTigers.com)
• Happy Pro Day! (visit @MizzouFootball on twitter for more videos)

• Club Hockey: For the love of the ice and each other, Missouri club hockey makes new leaps (Minh Connors, Missourian)
• Softball: Check out the highlights from Mizzou’s midweek win over Drake!

Former Missouri Tiger News

• ‘Proving myself right’: Martez Manuel opens up on pre-draft process, time at Missouri (Jack Soble, Columbia Tribune)
• Congrats, KIMMIE!!!! Can’t wait to watch you lead!

• Big East-bound: Providence basketball hires former Mizzou guard Kim English (Dave Matter, STL Today)
• Providence hires former Mizzou star Kim English as coach (Kyle Hightower, USA Today Network)

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