A week ago, Mizzou Gymnastics announced that Lacey Rubin, leader of the Bad Ass Beam Queens — a moniker bestowed upon her ferocious Tiger beamers and a name she was pretty sure neither Shannon nor Whitney knew about — would be stepping down from her role after three years with the team.
As a huge Lacey Rubin fan, I was shocked and saddened to hear this news. She’s been great to me and our little media contingent over the years, always willing to chat and provide extra little nuggets of wisdom. My
too early beam previews, for instance, became that much better with her input. As for the athletes who got to work alongside her, I was even sadder for them, as she’s played a pivotal role in the development of the beam team and for the team as a whole.
“I’ve only had her for two years out of her three years at Mizzou,” Olivia Kelly said, “But I know she cared for and was kind to each and every person that crossed her path. She was a great coach and helped so many people who love beam and find their confidence in and out of the gym.”
Under Lacey’s leadership, Mizzou beam has reached new heights. The beam team twice broke the program record, earning 49.575 scores on two occasions in 2025 — at Arkansas and in NCAA Semis — and twice finished the season ranked no. 11, which was the team’s highest ranking since 2021. They finished no. 22 in her first season.
In 2025, the Tiger beamers averaged a 49.254 score and a 49.370 NQS. Five times in 2025 they scored a 49.400 or above, and twice hit 49.500-plus, including a whopping 49.500 in the national semis with six(!) judges on hand. Perhaps most awesome, the Tigers never counted a fall that season, and only once dipped below a 49.100. In 2026, they averaged an equally consistent 49.229 score and a 49.244 NQS. Five times in 2026 they scored a 49.350 or higher, including three 49.400 scores. After counting a fall in the opening meet, they didn’t count another one.
In her short Tiger tenure, she coached seven All-SEC performers (Sienna Schreiber, Sydney Schaffer, Helen Hu, Olivia Kelly, Addi Lawrence), three WCGA All-Americans (Olivia Kelly, Hu, Lawrence), an SEC Champ (Hu), an SEC Specialist of the Year (Hu), a Regional Champion (Hu), and a National Champion (Hu). Wow.
How was she able to do it? Olivia said, “Lacey has full belief in all of her gymnasts and would outwardly express it. She makes sure that anything we talk about is only positive affirmations and how we can improve moving forward.”
What’s Next?
So what’s next for the native New Yorker? Nate Salsman and I had the pleasure of grabbing lunch with Lacey this past week, and she told us she’s looking forward to enjoying some much-earned time off to see family and friends, spending time with her fiancé — she’s engaged to Max Schuemann, a utility player for the New York Yankees, and they’ve been long distance for eight years now— traveling to MLB ballparks, and planning her November wedding, which will take place in Michigan (that’s where they met).
As for whether or not we’ll see Lacey in the gym again, yes, we most certainly will, but not immediately. She’s got some time to figure out her next steps.
Mark my words, though; this will not be the last we see of Coach Lacey Rubin. Someone with her accolades and talent will be in high demand when she’s ready to step back into that role.
“Getting to spend the last two years with Lacey has been nothing but the best!” Kaia Tanskanen said. “She has really helped me grow as a person and as a beam worker. I am so grateful I got to be able to compete beam this year with her by my side, and I’m so grateful to have been coached by her in general, as well.”
The Future of Mizzou Beam
As for what that means for the Tigers, we don’t really know. However, I expect they are on the hunt for another coach, as it’s a lot of responsibility for just Shannon, Jackie and Whitney, especially with Whitney being a new mom.
This figures to be a young beam squad in 2027 after the graduation of Addi, Lauren, Amy and Grace Anne, so whomever the team brings in to lead the B.A.B.Q. will play an ultra-important role in the team’s development moving forward.
Figuring into the 2027 rotation will be juniors Railey, Olivia and Kaia and sophomores Hayli and Kimarra. They’ve also recently signed 5th year Jennifer McMillan, a career-9.925 beam worker from Oregon State who spent the 2026 out with injury, and they’re bringing in some good beamers in the freshmen class. The only regular lineup members of this group were RJ, Liv, and Kaia (10 meets), so like I said, it’s a young squad in need of a strong leader.
Whomever they bring in, Kaia said, “I’m hoping it is someone who really cares about their job and what they do. I also hope they really learn about us as humans as well as athletes and I hope we can just build trust and confidence right away!”
Parting Words
In closing, Mizzou won’t be the same with Lacey, and her impact on the program has been immeasurable. She will be greatly missed, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what she does next.
“I wish her nothing but the best in her future! I will miss her so much!” Kaia said.
“Much love for her and her new journey,” Olivia added.
In the meantime, Go Yankees? (It feels weird saying this, but just go with it, guys.)
