Jan. 17, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.- Southeast's No. 22 ranked gymnastics team will head to Normal, Ill. Friday, January 19th at 7:00 p.m. to face host Illinois State, Illinois-Chicago and Centenary in a MIC quad-meet.

The Redhawks (2-0, 2-0 MIC) set the bar high for the season after defeating conference opponents Illinois-Chicago and Centenary last Saturday evening with a team score of 193.700, which is the highest season opening score for the Redhawks under the direction of head coach Tom Farden. Last season's gymnast of the year and newcomer of the year, Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities Wash./Mid Columbia), earned two individual titles (floor and beam) while placing second on the all-around. Freshman Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) won her first collegiate all-around while finishing second on the vault and placing in the top six in the other three events. Southeast's young team looks to keep up their solid performances as they continue competition in the tough MIC.

Host Illinois State (0-1, 0-0 MIC) will be trying to turn up the tempo after coming off a loss against Central Michigan, 191.075-180.400. The Redbirds are led by veterans Whitney Albright and Amanda Candler who scored 37.325 and 34.575 respectively in the all-around last weekend. Illinois State is dealing with some injuries which will force them to look for help from freshmen members of the team.

Pre-season favorite Illinois-Chicago (0-2, 0-2 MIC) will be looking for revenge after losing to Southeast last weekend, 193.700-187.900. Illinois has two bright spots in Annie Kachman and Jessie Jaworowicz. Katchman won her first individual title of the year in the floor exercise and Jaworowicz placed fourth in the all-around at Southeast's home opener.

The Centenary Ladies (1-1, 1-1 MIC), led by senior Kristina Menne, are also looking for retribution after Southeast handed the Ladies a 188.275-193.700 loss Saturday. Menne placed third in the all-around with a score of 37.675 to help her team place second overall in the triangular meet.