Jan. 26, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Thurdsay, January 26, 2006) The Redhawks gymnastics team hosts visiting Winona State in their home opener Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Houck Field House. It will be "Faculty Night" for the Redhawks as they honor the faculty of Southeast Missouri State during the meet.

The Redhawks (1-2, 0-1 MIC) look to extend their two-dual homewinning streak that dates back to last season. Last year the Redhawks went 3-1 at home.

The Redhawks are coming off a tough 189.425-188.425 loss to Midwest Independent Conference rival Illinois State in Bloomington, Illinois on Saturday. The loss snapped the Redhawks seven-dual winning streak against the Redbirds.

Despite the setback the Redhawks had many highlights individually. Freshman Sandra Blake continued to impress as she won her first individual title scoring a career-high 9.650 on the balance beam. The win helped propel her to her first all-around title with a score of 38.050.

Fellow freshman Maureen Grimaldi recorded two third-place finishes on the bars (9.650) and beam (9.475).

Sophomore Danyelle Aber finished second on the vault with a season-best 9.600.

The Warriors (3-2, 3-0 WIAC) have won three-straight duals after finishing third at the Illinois State triangular meet to kick-off the season.

The Warriors are led by Eileen Strube and Alexandra Nugen, who have eached won Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Gymnast of the Week. Strube is the team's top all-arounder while Nugen excels on the vault and beam.

The Redhawks have not faced the Warriors since the start of the 2004 season. At the season-opening Hamline Quadrangular Meet the Redhawks finished ahead of the Warriors, 185.075-176.00 to finish second to host Hamline University.

The Redhawks have not faced the Warriors in a dual meet since the 2003 season when they bested them, 193.375-180.375 in Houck Field House.