Gymnastics' Macpherson Named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
3/20/2026 12:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
Macpherson becomes second gymnast in program history to receive the honor.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou gymnast Lauren Macpherson (Gilbert, Ariz.) has been named the 2026 Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced Friday.
Macpherson is the second gymnast in program history to earn the honor, joining Katelyn Trevino (2015), and the 14th Mizzou student-athlete to receive the award since the Tigers joined the SEC in 2012.
A graduate student, Macpherson earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology and is currently pursuing a master's degree in epidemiology and public health.
Macpherson has been a key contributor to Missouri's top-10 bars and beam lineups in 2026. She has posted six scores of 9.900 or higher on beam this season, including a career-tying 9.950 against LSU on Jan. 30. She has also appeared in nine bars lineups during the regular season, earning a season-high 9.900 against Arkansas on March 1.
Macpherson has earned multiple academic honors throughout her collegiate career, including Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Academic All-America recognition in 2024-25 and Scholastic All-America honors in 2021 and 2022. During her time at San Jose State, she was named a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) All-Academic Scholar in 2022 and 2023.
The Tigers begin postseason competition at the SEC Championship on Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. CT in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at BOK Center. The meet will be nationally televised on SEC Network.
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