April 7, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK (Friday, April 7, 2006) The Redhawks gymnastics team continues their suprising season as they head to the campus of the University of Arkansas for the NCAA South Central Regional at Barnhill Arena on Saturday, April 8 for the opportunity of advancing to the NCAA Championship Meet. The Redhawks are one of six teams competing at the Region for the two NCAA automatic berths. This is the Redhawks first Regional appearance since the 1997 season. The meet starts at 6:00 p.m.

The Redhawks will face some of the top teams in the country at the Regional with 3rd-ranked Florida leading the way. Defending NCAA Champion and 9th-ranked UCLA will also make a run. Host Arkansas (No. 18), Illinois (No. 30) and Midwest Independent Conference rival Illinois-Chicago round-out the field at the Regional.

The Redhawks are ranked 49th nationally but are just one of only 36 teams in the country to qualify for a Regional Meet. All this with one of the youngest teams in the country in terms of experience as the Redhawks have seven freshmen that contribute to the team success.

The Redhawks will only compete two veterans in junior Brystol Powelski and sophomore Alison Ezell. Freshman Sandra Blake leads the way after being named the MIC's Gymnast of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Fellow freshmen Starlyn Schwartz (vault) and Maureen Grimaldi (bars & beam) will look to make a run in their individual events.

This is the first Regional appearance for third-year Head Coach Tom Farden.

"We are very excited to have made it to NCAA Regionals this year," said Farden. "I think it will be a great experience for our young team and something to build on for our the future."

Farden stated that the team remains confident despite the top-notch competition

"We are going to be in a meet with some of the elite programs in the country," said Farden. "UCLA has won 4 of the last 5 national championships and Florida has been in top ten national finishes for the past five years. Arkansas and Illinois have been teams on the rise. With UIC and SEMO making to Regionals shows how strong our conference is becoming."

Tickets for the meet still remain and are $10 for adults and $5 for youth and childrens. Call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 479-575-2225 for more information. The meet will also be available via live webcast on http://www.ladybacks.com/ the broadcast is free and can be accessed by clicking on the gymnastics link on the right-side of the web page.