March 29, 2008

By Matthew C. Worthington, Gymnastics Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The No. 34 Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team had two gymnasts earn All-MIC Honors on Friday evening at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships.

First team All-MIC is awarded to those finishing in the top three on the four events and the all-around. Second team All-MIC recognizes those finishing fourth through sixth.

v  Sandra Blake (Floor Exercise, All-Around)

v  Sandra Blake (Balance Beam)

v  Rikara Turner (Vault, Floor Exercise,All-Around)

The Southeast coaching staff was also awarded for their hard work and dedication to the team.

Assistant coach Brogan Evanson shares a laugh with freshman Kara Gibbons before her bars routine (Photo courtesy of Patrick Clark)

Third-year assistant coach Brogan Evanson was awarded the Assistant Coach of the Year Award for the second straight year. Evanson has played an important role in helping this season's team finish the regular season in the No.34 spot, through her coaching and choreography skills. She coaches both the floor and beam, as both team's routines cracked into the top 25 this season. Southeast's floor team has been the highlight this year finishing the regular season at No.29 nationally with a RQS of 48.855. Southeast finished the regular season first in the MIC on floor and third on beam and has the conference's best floor worker and fifth-best beam worker, thanks to the tutelage of Jacobsen-Evanson.

Head coach Tom Farden was awarded the Head Coach of the Year Award for a remarkable third straight year. Farden has been a driving force for the Redhawks over his five-year tenure leading the team to a phenomenal RQS total of 194.065 and a national ranking of No.34. Farden's ability to get the best out of his players has earned the team the top spot in the MIC on vault, bars, floor and the all-around. Southeast has the top gymnast in the MIC on vault, floor and all-around, as well. Under coach Farden, the team broke into the Southeast All-Time record book three times this season; team vault (48.9) - sixth all-time, team bars (48.975) - fourth all-time, and team total score (194.925) - eighth all-time.

Head coach Tom Farden instructs the team before a meet (Photo courtesy of Patrick Clark)

This year, Farden's team reached the season-high national ranking of No.23 and finished the regular season at No.34, seven spots ahead of last season's ranking. Under the direction of coach Farden, the Redhawks finished 7-3 in the MIC while increasing their RQS on vault, floor and overall team score from last season.

The Southeast gymnastics team has had a remarkable season and they now wait to find out their post-season fate. The Redhawks are currently No. 34 nationally and the top 36 teams will advance to NCAA regional competition.

Stay tuned to www.GoSoutheast.com for the NCAA regional announcement on Monday afternoon.