Oct. 19, 2009

By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University Director of Athletics John Shafer announced Monday that Kristi Ewasko will serve as the acting head coach of the Redhawks gymnastics team, effective immediately.

A native of Monroe, La., Ewasko was previously Southeast's balance beam coach, assistant floor coach, practice coordinator and recruiting coordinator for one season.

Ewasko guided the Redhawks to their fifth-best team beam score with a 48.975 mark against Air Force on March 14, 2009. She also helped lead Southeast (14-3 overall, 11-0 in MIC) to a Midwest Independent Conference Championship a year ago.

Prior to joining the Southeast staff in 2008-09, Ewasko spent four years as a volunteer coach at Auburn University. She later coached the Auburn gymnastics club team in 2004 and became the head coach of the competitive club team in 2006.

Ewasko graduated with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Auburn in 2004. She was the top vault competitor during her four years of competition with the Tigers. Ewasko holds the top two vault scores in Auburn gymnastics history. Her score of 9.95 against Florida in 2003 ranks as the school's all-time best mark.

Ewasko replaces Tom Farden, who left Southeast to become an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas.

Farden compiled an overall record of 70-46 in 10 years at Southeast. Farden led the Redhawks to three National Academic Championships (2007, 2008, 2009), one MIC Championship (2009) and two NCAA Regional appearances (2006, 2008).

"I want to thank Tom Farden for his 10 years of service here at Southeast Missouri State," said Shafer. He has built a championship program in the classroom and in the gym. I am excited to name Coach Ewasko as the acting head gymnastics coach. I am sure that she will continue the level of excellence that our program has achieved."

Southeast Missouri State will be conducting a national search to fill the vacant position.