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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri gymnastics team begins its 2012 season by hosting Northern Illinois (0-1) on Friday night at Houck Field House. The Redhawks begin their first official routines of the year at 6:30 p.m. Friday's meet will be WebCast on KFVS12.com.

Meet Promotion – Friday's season opener is also Vertically Challenged Night. Fans who are shorter than a lifesize cutout of the Redhawks' shortest gymnast (Kimberly Pickerl) will get free admission to the meet.

A Look at the Redhawks ­– Southeast returns 10 gymnasts from its 2011 roster that won the Midwest Independent Conference Championships and went 12-8 in dual competition. The Redhawks also return one regional qualifier in junior Taylor Westrick. In two seasons under head coach Kristi Ewasko, the Redhawks have gone 30-15 in dual competition and sent six gymnasts to NCAA Regionals.

Northern Illinois at a Glance – Northern Illinois dropped its first dual of the 2012 campaign to Southeast's MIC foe, Illinois-Chicago, by a score of 191.575-188.350 this past Sunday. The Huskies scored 9.700 or higher in only two of their 24 routines in the opener, both on floor exercise. Kim Gotlund posted a 9.750 and Tanya Rachan recorded a 9.800. Gotlund competed in the all-around in the opener, where she finished with a 36.300.

Series History – Southeast leads 21-13.

Southeast Under Ewasko – The Redhawks have continued to post solid dual records under head coach Kristi Ewasko. In Ewasko's first two seasons, Southeast has amassed a dual record of 30-15, a .667 winning percentage. The Redhawks won their second Midwest Independent Conference title in school history last season and sent three gymnasts to the NCAA Regional Championships as individual competitors. In two seasons, six gymnasts have represented Southeast at the regional meet.

Back for More – Junior Taylor Westrick returns to the mix after representing Southeast at the NCAA Regional Championships in the all-around a year ago. Westrick tallied a 9.700 or higher 24 times in 2011, the most of any returner. She continued to impress at the regional meet, scoring 9.800 on both uneven bars and balance beam while tallying a 9.700 on the floor exercise.