June 2, 2009

By: Bryce Weymouth, Sports Information Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Tuesday, June 2, 2009): The Southeast Missouri State University Gymnastic program announced the addition of three recruits: Sarah Brillhart, Emma Garrett and Angela Serafini, for this upcoming season.

"I am extremely pleased to announce the recent commitments from these fine young women. Each of them are dedicated students and come from great families. We have solidified our 2009 class with a total of six athletes hailing from Kansas, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Colorado. This class has as much potential in the classroom and gym as any other class I have signed," said head coach Tom Farden.

Brillhart is a native of Maize, Kan. and trains at Folgers Gymnastics in Andover, Kan. under club coach Mark Folger. She was named a regional qualifier at Level 8, 9 and 10 and a national qualifier at Level 9 and 10. Brillhart was named "Wichita's Best Athlete" in 2005. She has compiled a 3.4 cumulative GPA at Maize high school.

"Sarah comes from the strongest club program in Kansas. She has great potential on all of the events but her standout event is bars. She has elegant lines and is willing to put the work into her gymnastics to make line up. We're very pleased she will be a Redhawks this fall!" said Farden.

Garrett is from Jacksonville, Fla. and competes at Starlight Gymnastics under club coaches, Valentin Marinov-Ivanov and Vessy Ivanon. She was the 2007 Level 10 Florida State Vault Champion and a regional qualifier at Level 8, 9 and 10. Emma has a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA at Providence high school.

Emma Garrett is the 2007 Level 10 Florida State Vault Champion and a Regional Qualifier at Level 8, 9 and 10

"We recruited Emma for many months and got to know her and her family well. They are very supportive and we feel that Emma's personality and work ethic will be a tremendous asset to our team. She comes from a strong Russian coaching staff and will have the opportunity to fight for line up spots come next January," said Farden.

Serafini is a native from Glencoe, Mo. and trained at Team Central in St. Louis, Mo. under club coach Tom Stevens. Serafini was a Level 8 Region 4 Champion, Missouri Level 8 State Champion and Level 10 national qualifier in 2009. She currently has a 3.46 cumulative GPA at Eureka Senior high school.

"I have known Angela's coaches for 15 years and it's been several years since I had a St. Louis athlete on my team. Angela has come on really strong jumping two levels in the past two years and making it to Junior Olympic Nationals this spring. Her dedication and love for the sport is a wonderful testament," said Farden.

The three new Redhawks join Jordan Salsberg (Gulf Port, Miss.), Taylor Westrick (Waterford, Wis.) and Margaret O'Neal (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) to complete the Redhawks 2009 class.