The Morning Commute for April 21, 2025.
Welcome to the Morning Commute
Today we’re talking about the queen of Mizzou Sports. Or should I say, queens.
When people ask what the best sport at Mizzou is, casuals may say football because of the success Eli Drinkwitz has had. Loyalists may defer to wrestling considering the consistent excellence of Brian Smith’s program over the years.
Die-hards? They’ll give you a little something different every time. And I think all of us agree that there’s a new ruling program in the Mizzou Sports hierarchy. Karen wrote all about it.
From their first evening session and top four finish at the SEC Championships through the rest of the postseason, culminating in a third place finish at Sunday’s National Championships, it has been, without question, a historic season for Mizzou Gymnastics. The best in program history. The best finish by a women’s team in Mizzou Athletics history. HERSTORY?
What a night #MIZ pic.twitter.com/V1gqmBW8mg
— Mizzou Gymnastics (@MizzouGym) April 20, 2025
Between the program’s first ever trip to the National Championships to Helen Hu’s finish as the Balance Beam National Champion (editor’s note: and sooooo much more), it’s been a statement year for SEC Coach of the Year Shannon Welker and his program. Olympic sports have long been the unsung heroes of the Mizzou Athletic Department, but that wasn’t the case this weekend. This weekend, everyone got an up-close-and-personal look at just how special this team was. Laird Veatch even joined in, making a trip to Fort Worth.
Welker has set a high bar for himself, but his teams have improved throughout his time in Columbia. There’s not too far to go upward until Mizzou is hoisting the trophy.
Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+
Injuries have been an issue for [Sydney] Mains, as she suffered a partial tear in her ACL, MCL and PCL early in her high school career at Knoxville Catholic. But that didn’t stop her from being one of the best players in the area, tabbed as The Knoxville Focus / Coaches’ Knox County Player of the Year while averaging 18.5 points. This scoring onslaught was persistent, as she finished her time at Knoxville Catholic with over 2,000 points while being coached by her dad and winning two state championships.
That’s four additions for Coach Harper, who is building an intriguing first roster in black and gold.
Last season with Illinois State, [Xavier] Loyd had 66 receptions for six touchdowns and 912 yards — eclipsing 100+ receiving yards in two games while being named Missouri Valley Football Newcomer of the Week twice last year.
Rock M Radio: Before the Box Score is talking spring football and new additions to the roster!
Subscribe to Rock M Radio on Apple Podcasts. Or stream episodes through Megaphone or Spotify. Have a question for us? Leave a 5-star review with your question and that show just might answer it in an upcoming episode!
If you like Rock M Radio drop us a Review and be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow @RockMRadio on Twitter and if you heaven’t already head over to our YouTube channel and click that subscribe button!
(** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)