Dec. 8, 2004

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Tuesday, December 7, 2004) Gymnastics Head Coach Tom Farden has announced the signing of three prep standouts to national letters of intent to compete for the Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team in next season. Kelsey Stauffer, Maureen Grimaldi and Sandra Blake each announced their intentions to compete for Southeast during the NCAA's Early Signing Period.

Stauffer is a 5-4 and comes to Southeast from San Antonio, Texas where she attended Northside Health Lauceus High School. She was a Level 10 Regionals qualifier in 2003 and 2004 under the tutelage of Heather Schrelzer. In 2002 she placed 2nd at the Level 7 Regionals in the vault. In 2001 and 2002 she qualified for the Westerns.

The daughter of John and Lois Stauffer, she is a member of the National Honors Society. Other academic accomplishments include being a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor soriety, Magna Cum Laude in the National Latin Exam in 2004 and Summa Cum Laude in 2002 and 2003. She chose Southeast over Penn and Arizona. She plans to pursue studies in pre-dentistry.

"Kelsey has one of the hottest vaults in the country at the Junior Olympic level," said Coach Farden. "Her work ethic and high academic standards will serve our program well."

Grimaldi stands at 5-1 and will compete in the all-around and beam at Southeast. A native of Kansas City, Missouri where she attends Notre Dame de Sion and is coached by Kim Fuchs. In 2004 she was a Nationals qualifier. In 2003 she placed 7th on the floor, 8th on the beam and 11th in the all-around.

The daughter of Tom and Mary Grimaldi, she is a four-year honor roll student. Two of her sisters compete collegiatelly; Ellen plays soccer at Rockhurst University and Erica is a standout on the Vanderbilt women's basketball team. She chose Southeast over Ball State. She is undecided in a major.

"Maureen has proven to be one of the best gymnasts at the Junior Olympic level," said Coach Farden. "We are extremely pleased to have her joining our program."

Blake will compete on the floor and the bars. The 5-8 athlete comes to Southeast from Tri-Cities, Washington where she attends Liberty Christian School and is coached by Joe Softich. She is a three-time Nationals qualifier in 2002, 2003 and 2004. This past summer she traveled to Costa Rica to compete on the International level.

She's the daughter of Mark and Pam Blake. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has received her school's Advanced Math Award and Foreign Language Award. Her sister Linda runs track at Seattle Pacific. She chose Southeast over Texas Women's University and Seattle Pacific University. She is undecided in a major.

"Sandra has big time skills that will upgrade our program on the bars and on the floor," said Coach Farden. "What impresses me the most about her is that she is still learning and doing it at a feverous pace."