March 21, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Wednesday, March 21, 2007) Outstanding freshman gymnast Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Twin City Twisters) earned her second consecutive Midwest Independent Conference Gymnast of the Week Award for her performance against the Centenary Ladies in Shreveport, La. last Saturday.

Turner led the Redhawks against the Ladies as she turned in a remarkable team-and personal best 38.925, capturing her fourth all-around title of the season. Her beam (9.850) was also a career-high as she tied for the individual title and helped the Redhawks tie their season-high 48.725. Turner excelled in the other events as well, placing third on vault (9.700) and bars (9.725), and fifth on the floor (9.650).

The freshman has been a driving force for Southeast this season and is a big reason why the Redhawks have been able to jump 13 spots in the national rankings to No. 36.

Southeast's last meet before the MIC championships will be a quad meet in Fayetteville, Ark. against No.12 Arkansas, No.18 Missouri and No.51 Texas Woman's University.