Jan. 15, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State gymnastics has earned a No. 22 ranking in this week's GymInfo National Poll, released earlier this morning. In addition to its national ranking, Southeast is also ranked fifth in this week's South Central Regional poll.

The Redhawks (2-0, 2-0 MIC) posted a team score of 193.700 last weekend en route to capturing first-place honors in their season-opening tri-meet against Illinois-Chicago and Centenary College for their highest total score in a season-opening meet under fourth-year head coach Tom Farden.

Southeast is also ranked in the top-15 nationally in the balance beam (10th - 48.725) and the floor exercise (12th - 48.750), while a pair of underclassmen have earned national rankings in the balance beam. Sophomore Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid-Columbia) is currently in a tie for ninth with a score of 9.850, while freshman Jena Nguyen (Sioux City, S.D../All-American Gymnastics) is tied for 20th in the country with a score of 9.825.

The Redhawks are back in action this Friday as it heads to Normal, Ill., to compete in a quad meet against Midwest Independent Conference foes Illinois State, UIC and Centenary. The meet has a start time of 7 p.m.