May 24, 2010

By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Director of Athletics John Shafer named Kristi Ewasko the head women's gymnastics coach at Southeast Missouri State University Monday. Ewasko takes over the helm after serving as the Redhawks interim head coach since Nov. 23, 2009.

After an extensive national search was conducted, it was decided in the best interest of the program to hire Ewasko as the head coach.

"I'm excited to name Coach Ewasko the head women's gymnastics coach at Southeast," said Shafer. "I believe she will continue the tradition of both a fine gymnastics and outstanding academic program."

A native of Monroe, La., Ewasko spent one year as an assistant coach at Southeast before she was promoted to interim head coach last November. She led the Redhawks to an overall record of 16-5 and 9-2 in the Midwest Independent Conference this season. In addition, Southeast finished third at the MIC Championships and had two gymnasts (Jordan Salsberg, Brianna Gaddie) qualify for the NCAA South Central Regional.

Academically, the Redhawks posted a 3.91 grade point average en route to winning their third-straight National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women National Academic Team Championship. Southeast became only the second school in the nation to win the prestigious award three years in a row.

"Kristi did a great job during the interim and we are confident she will do a wonderful job as the newly-appointed head coach," added Associate Director of Athletics Cindy Gannon.

Prior to arriving at Southeast, Ewasko worked as a volunteer coach at Auburn University from 2004-08. She was AU's conditioning captain and academic captain during that time. The Tigers finished the 2008 season ranked 17th and rated among the top-26 each of those four seasons.

In addition to her collegiate coaching duties, Ewasko has been an Auburn Gymnastics Academy coach since 2004. She became head coach of the AGA competitive team in May, 2006.

Ewasko graduated with a degree in Exercise Science from Auburn in 2004. As a gymnast, she competed for four years as the top vault competitor for the Tigers' perennial top-20 program. Ewasko recorded Auburn's top two vault scores in school history, including the all-time mark of 9.950 which she set against Florida in 2003.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Shafer, Cindy and President Dobbins for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to continuing the success of our program," said Ewasko. "I think the leadership we have now and the talent of our young freshmen will help take Southeast gymnastics to new heights."