April 15, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (Saturday, April 14, 2007) - The Redhawks officially finished the 2007 season at the NCAA South Central Regional in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday evening. The individuals representing Southeast at the regional were Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid Columbia), Rikara Turner (Hastings, Minn./Tri City Twisters), Bryanna Wong (Parkville, Mo./Edge Gymnastics) and Jena Nguyen (Sioux Falls, S.D./All-American). The gymnasts had a solid outing in Tucson, but were unable to qualify for the NCAA National Championships.

Blake, who was paired with host University of Arizona, got the highest indivdual finish of the evening, for the Redhawks, as she scored an outstanding 9.750 on the vault and was in a six-way tie for sixth overall. She had an excellent performance on the floor as well, as she finished in seventh scoring 9.750. Blake also hit the top 20 with a 9.000 on bars. This showing marked the second year in a row that she attended the regional. Her highest finish last year was ninth on vault.

Turner, 2007 MIC Newcommer of the Year, was the top finisher for Southeast on the all-around as she finished 14th overall with a score of 38.000. Her best two events of the evening were a three-way tie for tenth on vault (9.650) and a 12th place finish on floor (9.625). On bars, Turner finished with a 16th place 9.375 and the 15th spot on the beam (9.350).

Wong was paired with the University of Illinois and had a high finish of tenth from her score of 9.675 on the floor. On beam (9.650), she was in a four-way tie for 11th and on vault (9.475), she placed 15th.

Nguyen competed on the beam and was alternate on the floor. Her beam work was impressive as she scored an eighth place 9.750.

The Redhawks have set the bar high for themselves after their stellar performance this season. The team will now focus on next year and get the six newcommers prepared for the tough Midwest Independent Conference. Complete results can be seen at www.ncaasports.com/gymnastics/womens