She said it best, KEN IS GOING TO THE BIG MIZ
Alternate Title: Grace Gives a Five-Star Tour (literally and figuratively)
Just when I think I’m going to be able to continue working on my leotard project because I was all caught up on content, Mizzou Gymnastics swoops in with [to be said in my best New Heights Kelce Bros voice]… NEW NEWS!
The official Mizzou Gym account posted at 3:41pm, “It’s a GREAT day to be a Tiger 😏.” The team has been entertaining quite the group of all-stars the last few weekends, including five this past weekend, another group for the kU game, and while I didn’t know for sure, I figured it had to be something recruiting related.
In my September 21 edition of the Olympic Sports Catch Up, I outlined that weekend’s visitors that remained uncommitted: 5-star Kendall Morgan (2026), 4-star Adelia Occhipini (2027) and 5-star Mariah Moore (2027). Also that weekend, one of these lucky ladies got a special tour of the J-School from one of our esteemed Journalism Ambassadors (who also happens to co-host The Flipside Podcast, produce sports content for KOMU 8, and be a certified Gymthusiast), Grace Ainger.
Well, someone needs to give Grace a promotion because she gave the tour of her life, as on Monday afternoon, Kendall Morgan, the West Palm Beach native and highest rated uncommitted 2026 five-star committed to Mizzou over the likes of gymnastics blue bloods Florida and UCLA and my second favorite team, Michigan State.
Here’s her video release. IT IS SO WELL DONE.
Kendall’s Instagram caption is equally incredible (I’ve copied it here in case you can’t see it)—
“I am beyond blessed and so excited to announce that I am committing to the University of Missouri! 🖤💛
First and most importantly, I want to thank God my faith is my strongest foundation, and I truly wouldn’t be here without Him guiding me through every step of this journey. None of this would be possible without His plan over my life.
To my family and my friends thank you for being my rock and my biggest supporters. You’ve believed in me on the hardest days, celebrated me on the best ones, and reminded me who I am when I’ve doubted myself. To my coaches, thank you for trusting me, pushing me, and shaping me into the athlete and person I am today. I owe so much of this moment to all of you.
To the Missouri staff and team, thank you for making me feel so welcomed from the very beginning. You’ve been nothing but supportive, kind, and genuine, and I’m so thankful to be surrounded by such an amazing program and culture. I can’t wait to call Mizzou my home away from home, and I’m so ready for this next chapter. 🐯✨
Her accolades are impressive. Besides holding a career-high 9.90 on vault (she competes a Y 1.5), Kendall is a:
- 2x Nationals Qualifier
- ’25 Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier: Video links here— Vault | Beam | Bars | Floor
- ’25 VT (9.825) &UB (9.85) National Champ, 5th FX (9.775), 9th All-Around (Senior A)
- ’25 FL State & Region 8 AA Champ— 1st BB (9.925) | 1st Vault (9.90)
In May, College Gym News raved about her as one of the Ones to Watch at Level 10 Nationals as the highest qualifier, stating:
“Kendall Morgan (‘26) remains uncommitted, but college coaches should be watching closely. She’s had a breakout season, establishing herself as one of the most complete athletes in the field. With top-100 rankings on every event and a 39.275 at regionals, Morgan brings both talent and momentum—her scores are no fluke.”
And in June, after she won two events at Nattys, Morgan was re-ranked to a five-star. Here’s what they had to say:
The top remaining uncommitted 2026, Morgan leveled up this season, notching a career-best 39.275 in the all-around at regionals. She upgraded her vault to a Yurchenko one and a half in the postseason, and it already looks college-ready. Additionally, she added a floaty double layout on floor.
Where she can get even better: There’s room for Morgan to improve her consistency on beam and her form on her Pak salto on bars.
Kendall —or Kenny as her USA Gym bio reads, making her the second Kenny on the team!— is the fifth five-star to join the Missouri Tigers gymnastics program from as far back as we could figure out (they haven’t been ranking gymnasts for that long, apparently) and will be the fourth five-star on the roster when she joins the team in 2026— alongside Olivia Kelly, Railey Jackson and Kimarra Echols. Insane.
I’d like to point out that this bars dismount is very Amari Celestine-coded. And the celebration is everything. She’ll fit right in. Watch below.
In conclusion, what we all should be doing right now, besides thanking the staff and the gracious gymnast hostesses who made her recruiting trip great, is thanking Grace for providing a personal J-School Daily Talk to Kendall, as that CLEARLY did the trick. Thank you, Grace, and thank you, Missouri School of Journalism for 1) employing yours truly, and 2) providing the best learning opportunities for students at the best school in the world.
M-I-Z.
Category: General Sports
