CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (3-2, 2-1 MIC) picked up an impressive win over Midwest Independent Conference foe Centenary College, (194.925-192.575).

"We challenged the team to be mentally tough after the loss at Texas Woman's," said head coach Tom Farden. "They came out here and really superseded our expectations."

The Redhawks started the afternoon on vault and were solid as they totaled a 48.650. Taking the individual title was Southeast junior Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid Columbia) as she finished with a 9.825. Freshman Brianna Gaddie (East Grand Forks, Minn./Red River Valley) took the third spot for Southeast as she tallied a 9.775 and sophomore Amber Garlotte (Lee's Summit, Mo./Eagles Gymnastics) placed fourth with a 9.725.

On bars, the Redhawks saw three scores entered to the all-time list as their team total of 48.975 placed them fourth all-time. Taking the individual title for the first time in her career, sophomore Jacqueline Heath (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Tech) tied the third-best score in Southeast history with a 9.900. Also scoring career-highs were Blake, sophomore Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) and freshman Christina Sundgren (Richland, Wash./Mid Columbia). Blake finished in second (9.875), Turner finished third (9.825) and Sundgren was fifth (9.725).

"We really came together and it was real exciting," said Heath. "We've been working real hard."

Southeast got back on track on balance beam after back to back meets of having to count a fall, and finished with a 48.275. Centenary gymnast Laura Loy won the event with a 9.825 but was followed closely by Southeast's Turner (9.750). Nguyen's score of 9.700 was good enough for third and Jennifer Dinan's (Doniphan, Neb./Grand Island Twister) career-high 9.675 put her in fourth.

Rikara Turner captures her first all-around title of the season (photo courtesy of Patrick Clark)

Southeast was incredible on the floor exercise as they pulled down a season-high 49.025. Blake, Gaddie and Nguyen all shared the individual title with Centenary's Marisa Schneider as they all scored 9.825. Turner (9.800) and Garlotte (9.750) followed closely finishing second and third respectively.

"We started strong and we finished strong," said Farden. "That has been our motto all season."

Turner captured her first all-around title of the season with a career-high 39.075 to finish barely ahead of teammate Blake who scored a 39.025.

"Our students hit a home-run today," said Farden. "They did exactly what we needed to do as we head into our Friday meet with Missouri."

The meet with the University of Missouri will be on Friday, February 15 at Houck Field House with a start time of 7:00 p.m.