Feb. 8, 2008

By Matthew C. Worthington, Gymnastics Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (2-2, 1-1 OVC) lost their first conference meet of the season as they fell to the Texas Woman's Pioneers 193.375-194.150. The Redhawks led by a mere .3 (145.700-145.400) going into the last event before having to count two falls on beam, en route to the defeat.

The Redhawks began the dual meet on the bars where they totaled a 48.450. The individual title went to TWU's Courtney Arno-Templet as she scored an impressive 9.825. Junior Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid Columbia Gymnastics) was the top performer for Southeast tying two Pioneer's with a second place 9.750. Finishing right behind Blake were; sophomore Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) and freshman Lauren Dinan (Doniphan, Neb./Nebraska Twisters) as they tallied a 9.700.

On vault, the Redhawks were as solid as they have been all year scoring a 48.625. Southeast won their third-straight vault title as freshman Brianna Gaddie (East Grand Forks, Minn./Red River Valley) barely beat teammate Blake, 9.825-9.800. Sophomore Amber Garlotte (Lee's Summit, Mo./Eagle Gymnastics) also finished strong as she scored a 9.725, finishing fifth overall.

Southeast matched their excellent vault performance by scoring another 48.625 on the floor. While Pioneer junior Amie Boles won the floor title with a 9.850, Gaddie and Blake held strong for Southeast with a second place finish of 9.750. Sophomores Turner and Jena Nguyen (Sioux Falls, S.D./All-American Gymnastics) tied for third as they scored 9.725. With a small lead heading to the balance beam, the Redhawks needed to be on point but fell short, 47.675-48.375. Blake was able to walk away with the individual title scoring a career-best 9.875, but was the only top-five finish for Southeast.

Along with the beam title, Blake captured her second all-around title of the season with a career-best 39.175. Turner also pulled in a respectable all-around score of 38.325, to finish behind her teammate.

The gymnasts will now travel home to face Centenary College on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. After a tough loss, the Redhawks will be fighting strong to maintain their No.1 spot in the Midwest Independent Conference.