March 28, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Monday, March 28, 2005) The up-and-down season for the Redhawks gymnastics team will continue into the post-season as the program will send two of their gymnasts to the NCAA Regionals. Tara Boldt (Lakeville, Minn./ T.A.G.S) and Katie Bloom (Snellville, Ga./ Gwinnett Gymnastics Center) will participate in the all-around competition at the South Central Regional in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Boldt will compete as the No. 1 all-around competitor against Big 12 Champion and 6th-ranked Nebraska, who will host the meet. Boldt ranks 57th nationally and 12th regionally in the all-around with a Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) of 38.925. This is Boldt's second appearance at the Regionals. Last season Boldt finished 10th in the all-around with a score of 38.850 in Tucson, Arizona.

Bloom makes her first appearance at the Regionals after serving as an alternate in the all-around last season. Bloom will compete as the No. 5 all-around competitor against 29th-ranked Arizona State. Bloom ranks 89th nationally and 19th regionally in the all-around with a RQS of 38.600.

The Redhawks just missed competing as a team at the Regional as they finished the season ranked 45th with a RQS of 192.910.

"I'm extremely proud of Tara (Boldt) and Katie (Bloom)," said Head Coach Tom Farden. "It's been a rough season for all of us, but I'm happy how we ended the season and it's unfortunate that we once again came up a little short as a team. I'm expecting top-notch performances by both Tara and Katie."

The Huskers will play host to No. 8 Michigan, No. 18 Arizona, No. 19 Missouri, Arizona State and No. 33 Illinois in the team competition at the Devaney Center. The regional competition will also include five all-around competitors, including Boldt and Bloom and four individual event specialists.

Tickets for the NCAA South Central Regional Championships are available by calling the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-8BIGRED.