Redhawks Finish Regular-Season Undefeated at Home

March 14, 2009

Story by Matthew C. Worthington, Gymnastics Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks swept every event as a team and individually against the Air Force Falcons en route to totaling the second-best team score in Southeast history, winning 195.750-189.425. With this evening's win, the Redhawks finish the season perfect at home, 6-0.

"There was a great crowd, great performance and it was a great way to send our seniors off," said head coach Tom Farden. "I am so proud of this team. They started solid, built momentum and finished strong."

Southeast (10-3, 7-0 MIC) started the evening on vault to the tune of 48.675. Senior Sandra Blake (Tri-City, Wash./Mid-Columbia Gymnastics) picked up the first of her three individual titles as she turned in a season-high 9.825.

"Everyone was outstanding tonight," Blake said. "The team performed with heart and passion, and everybody stepped up."

Sophomore Brianna Gaddie (East Grand Forks, Minn./Red River Valley Gymnastics) placed second with 9.775, followed by teammates Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) and Starlyn Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla./First City Gymnastics) who tied with a fourth-place 9.700. Junior Amber Garlotte (Lee's Summit, Mo./Eagle Gymnastics) rounded up the fifth spot as she scored a 9.675.

The Redhawks were lights out on the bars as they scored the highest team-total in school history, 49.175. Leading the way on bars were teammates Christina Sundgren (Richland, Wash./Mid-Columbia Gymnastics) and Emily Mann (Lincoln, Neb./Solid Rock Gymnastics). The duo tied for the third-highest total in Southeast history as the gymnasts each scored a remarkable 9.900. Lauren Dinan's (Doniphan, Neb./Nebraska Twisters Gymnastics) career-best 9.825 was good enough for second and was followed by Blake's 9.800. Kelley Krengiel (Lemont, Ill./Lemont H.S.) and Turner tied with a fifth-place 9.750.

The gymnasts were not through with their assault of the record books yet as they moved to beam and landed the fifth-best total of all-time, 48.975. Blake earned the individual title after tying her career-high 9.875. Turner also tied her career-high, 9.850, which was good enough for second place. Tying in third were teammates Gaddie and Schwartz with a 9.775.

On floor, the Redhawks scored 48.925 after Gaddie turned in another impressive first-place floor routine (9.850). Blake (9.825) and Turner (9.775) were also solid as they finished second and third, respectively. Freshman Christa Soekamto (Grapevine, Tex./Top Flight Gymnastics) scored a fourth-place 9.750 and Garlotte scored a fifth-place 9.725.

"We all hit solid routines tonight," Blake said. "We finished the regular-season undefeated in conference, and we want to do the same at the MIC Championships."

Blake topped off the evening by winning the all-around title with an impressive score of 39.325. The total marks a career-best for the gymnast and is sixth-best in Southeast history.

"Our team will now focus on executing our routines and aiming for a great performance at the MIC Championships," Farden said.

Southeast begins the postseason on Saturday, March 21at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships, hosted by Illinois State. All teams will be competing for a NCAA regional berth.