Oh, hello 10.0 SV vaulter
We knew some news would be on the horizon, after Mizzou head coach Shannon Welker told me he thought they’d “have a commit or two” earlier this week, but he wouldn’t say much more than that, much to my dismay. This coaching staff operates in stealth mode, as the new commit, like Illinois’ Makayla Green wasn’t even listed on College Gym News’ transfer tracker yet! Luckily, fellow gymthusiast and KOMU8 reporter Grace Ainger was on the socials and saw it pop up and alerted our lil crew of the news.
Say hello to Arkansas transfer, Dakota Essenpries! It’s a Homecoming of sorts!
(Please scroll through this carousel for the CUTEST Mizzou pic).
Per Road to Nationals data, the 5-foot-2 Adrian, Mo. native scored a career high 9.90 at the Penn State Regional Round 2 this year, tying for second place while competing against LSU, Michigan and Maryland. She earned a 9.825 in finals. In the regular season, Dakota earned a 9.875 vs. LSU, and against her new team at home in the regular season finale, she earned a 9.85. Per arkansasrazorbacks.com, the sophomore appeared in every vault lineup, scoring a 9.85-plus five times.
A look at some of Essenpries’ Y1.5 vaults this season. Against LSU, 9.875. Against her new team Mizzou, 9.85. At regional semis, 9.900 (career high). Newest member of the black and gold! pic.twitter.com/0H0vHxjyhi
— Grace Ainger (@GAingerSports) May 8, 2025
Dakota’s top score will place her at the top of the vault lineup, just behind Hannah Horton. Her 9.845 NQS will place her squarely in the top 4 from this year, but top 2 in 2025-26, as her Yurchenko 1.5 will replace one of the graduating ones from Amari & Jocelyn (sad face).
How much eligibility does she have? TWO years, babyyyyyy! Dakota is an incoming junior. She will join newly announced returners, Grace Anne Davis and Lauren Macpherson, and bars specialist Makayla Green. (links go to my Rock M stories)
Like I mentioned earlier, Shannon had said “1-2 more,” and puts the roster at 20, which is the proposed roster maximum. The total number of transfers I think will ultimately depend upon what’s decided in the House settlement, which is currently at odds due to… you guessed it… roster size. Should the expected number hold up, then they are full, as both Kylie Minard and Courtney Woods are currently in the portal. But as with any other sport, “there’s always spots when you need ‘em.” I think that’s a Sam Snelling original right there.
Here’s how the roster stacks up currently. It’s looking MIGHTY, MIGHTY STRONG, y’all.
Stay tuned for more Gym news here at Rock M. I suspect there will be more soon. Oh, and listen to the new ep of Majority Rules, which hit airwaves today.
#MIZ