Feb. 26, 2008

By Matthew C. Worthington, Gymnastics Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Feb. 25, 2008) - The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (3-4, 2-1 MIC) turned in a respectable performance against No. 26 Southern Utah Thunderbirds, but could not get the win as they lost, 193.900-194.875.

The Redhawks started the evening on bars as they picked up their second-highest team finish of the season at 48.600. The Thunderbirds took the top three places on the event, with Southeast taking the next five spots. Juniors Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid Columbia) and Jennifer Dinan (Doniphan, Neb./Grand Island Twisters) led the Redhawks as they tied for fourth with a 9.750.

On vault, Southeast won their only event as a team with a 48.875, their second-highest vault total of the season. Blake won the individual title with a 9.850 followed by freshman Brianna Gaddie (East Grand Forks, Minn./Red River Valley) who scored a second place 9.800. Starlyn Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla./First City Gymnastics) and Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) finished in a three-way tie for fourth with a 9.750.

Both team struggled on the floor exercise but the Thunderbirds held the advantage, 48.450-48.225. Blake pulled down her second individual title of the meet with a 9.775 while Gaddie and Turner tied for third (9.725). On beam, the Redhawks scored 48.200. Blake and Turner were the only Southeast gymnasts to finish in the top five as they tied for fourth with a 9.700.

Blake (39.075) and Turner (38.900) were, again, unyielding on the all-around as they finished first and third, respectively.

Southeast will now travel to Provo, Utah on Wednesday to face the B.Y.U. Cougars at 7:00p.m. The meet can be followed online at http://www.byucougars.com/webcast/gymnastics/20080227/.