March 11, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Friday, March 11, 2005) It's crunch time for the Redhawks gymnastics team with two weeks left till the Midwest Independent Conference Championships they currently are on the outside looking in for an NCAA Regional berth. Currently the 40th-ranked Redhawks team has a Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) of 192.650 just 0.06 points behind MIC leader and 33rd-ranked Illinois-Chicago.

The Redhawks (5-6, 3-2 MIC) can make ground on the Flames when they travel to Shreveport, Louisiana to face conference for Centenary College in a dual meet on Saturday, March 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Centenary (6-5, 2-1 MIC) is currently ranked 49th with an RQS of 191.410. Currently they rank No. 1 in the USA Gymnastics Poll after winning the USAG last season.

They are coming off two dual victories over Texas Women's University and Air Force with a score of 194.300. MIC Gymnast of the Week Kristina Menne won the all-around competition and finished second on both the bars and floor. Menne ranks 60th nationally in the all-around with a Regional Qualifying Average (RQA) of 38.515. Menne tops the MIC on the bars and on the floor.

Despite injuries the Redhawks have battled the last three duals but have gotten contributions from many sources including freshmen Allison Ezell (Kansas City, Kan./ Alpha Omega) and Danyelle Aber (Gurnee, Ill./ Ultimate Gymnastics).

Freshman Jennifer Kaye (Brookfield, Wis./ Salto Gymnastics) returned from an arm injury to compete on the vault and is expected to see some action in her strongest event, the bars.

Tara Boldt (Lakeville, Minn./ T.A.G.S) has been solid as usual as she won her fifth all-around title against Illinois State on Sunday. Boldt ranks 46th nationally in the all-around with a RQA of 38.775 and ranks in the top-100 in the floor exercises.

The Redhawks defeated Centenary in an earlier dual meet in Houck Field House 190.450-189.050 on January 22 and lead the all-time series 10-1.