Feb. 15, 2008

Complete Results |  Photo Gallery 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The No.27 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (3-3, 2-1 MIC) had a solid performance against No.14 Mizzou but came up short, 193.500-195.425.

"Our student's performance was the best of the year," said head coach Tom Farden.

On vault, the Redhawks turned in a steady performance as they scored a 48.475. Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid Columbia) was the top Redhawk as she tied for second with a 9.800 and Brianna Gaddie (Grand Forks, Minn./Red River Valley tied for third with a 9.775. Mizzou's Adrianne Perry took the individual title with a 9.850.

Southeast's 48.075 on bars turned out to be the weakest event of the night for the Redhawks. Blake and Bryanna Wong (Parkville, Mo./Edge Gymnastics) were the top finishers for Southeast as they tied for third with a 9.700. Alicia Hatcher took the individual title with a 9.775.

"We did our best tonight," said Blake. "We just have to try to get better scores."

On balance beam, the Redhawks didn't have to count a fall for the second meet in a row and pulled down a score of 48.175. Mizzou was lights out on the beam taking the top three spots, but Southeast gymnast Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) hung in to tie for fourth (9.750). Jena Nguyen (Sioux City Falls, S.D./All American) finished sixth with 9.675, Blake scored a seventh place 9.650, and Wong's 9.600 was eighth.

Southeast was tough as usual on the floor tallying a 48.775. Blake again tied for second with a 9.825 and Turner earned a third place 9.775. Gaddie finished fourth with a 9.750 and Nguyen finished in fifth (9.725). The Tiger's Perry won the all-around but was followed closely by the Redhawk's Blake, 39.250-38.975. Turner finished with a solid 38.775 and took third place.

"Our team is pretty resilient, said Farden. "The motivation is there and we just have to focus on our execution."

Southeast now hits the road as they have three meets in eight days. The Redhawks will face Southern Utah on February 25, BYU on February 27, and Illinois State on March 2. Stay tuned to www.Gosoutheast.com for updates and scores.