March 11, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Saturday, March 10, 2007) The Southeast Gymnastics squad pushed closer towards their goal of a repeat trip to the NCAA Regional by recording a season-high 194.275 and a third place finish overall in a quadrangular meet against Texas Woman's University, University of Kentucky and Bowling Green State University.

The Kentucky Wildcats finished first with a team score of 196.200 followed by Texas Woman's with a score of 194.825. Bowling Green State wrapped up the last spot with a respectable 192.575.

While Southeast didn't win any individual or team titles in this meet, they had one of their best showings of the season with the ladies pulling in 13 season-high scores individually and a season-high as a team on vault, bars and overall.

The Redhawks started off in the hole as they could only muster a 48.225 on the floor. The only team member to place individually was freshman Jena Nguyen (Sioux City, S.D./All-American Gymnastics), who finished fifth with a 9.8.

"We had a little bit of a slow start," said head coach Tom Farden. "But we got increasingly better".

The Redhawks took flight after the rough finish on the floor and landed outstanding vaults to the tune of a season-high 48.500. Freshmen Amber Garlotte (Lee's Summitt, Mo./Eagle Gymnastics), Bryanna Wong (Parkville, Mo./Edge Gymnastics), Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters), Nguyen and junior Alison Ezell (Kansas City, Kan./Alpha Omega) all set season-highs with Garlotte leading the way and placing fifth overall with a 9.850.

Freshman Rikara Turner set three career-highs and a team-high on the all-around

Maureen Grimaldi (Kansas City, Mo./Eagle Gymnastics), Garlotte, Wong, and Turner all scored season-highs on the bars as the Redhawks again scored a season-high 48.850. Grimaldi was the team's top finisher as she placed third scoring a 9.875. Turner (9.775), Wong (9.750) and Heath (9.750) finished sixth through eight respectively.

Southeast finished the meet strong on the balance beam recording a solid 48.700 as three Redhawks placed in the top 10. Wong (9.825) finished third while Nguyen and Ezell tied for fifth with a 9.775. Wong and Ezell's scores were season-highs as well.

Turner (38.850) and Wong (38.750) both set season-highs again on the all-around as they placed third and fourth respectively.

Southeast (12-5, 6-1 MIC) will be in action at home in Houck Fieldhouse on Tuesday, March 13th against the Illinois State Redbirds. The meet will have a start time of 7:00p.m.