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ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri gymnastics team gave itself a much stronger starting point than a year ago in a 192.200-188.625 season-opening win at Lindenwood on Friday night.
Three Redhawks (1-0, 1-0 Midwest Independent) won individual events and two Southeast competitors tied for the all-around title. Southeast's score is over two points higher than it posted in its season opener a year ago, when it scored 190.100 at home against Northern Illinois.
“Tonight our goal was not counting a fall and the team did exactly that,” Southeast head coach
Kristi Ewasko said. “We hit 22 out of 24 routines and didn't count a fall. I couldn't be more pleased with the performance to start the year.”
The Redhawks began the night with a consistent performance on uneven bars. All six Southeast competitors scored at least 9.600.
Taryn Vanderpool won the event with a 9.800 while
Megan Fosnow placed second with a 9.725. Freshman
Taylor Penzien and senior
Taylor Westrick just missed a 9.7, each finishing with a 9.675. The Redhawks finished with a team total of 48.550 while the Lady Lions scored 46.925 on vault.
“Bars got us started the right way," Ewasko said. "We did our job hitting handstands and sticking landings. It fueled the energy leading to the other events. The scores weren't where we wanted, but the performance was. What we can do is continue to build and improve from here. This is a totally different team in terms of its work ethic and trust from the staff to the gymnasts. The difference definitely showed tonight.”
Southeast moved onto vault where Fosnow and
Emma Garrett tied for the event title with matching 9.675 scores. The Redhawks did not count a score lower than 9.525 and finished with a 48.025. LU scored 47.775 on bars, giving Southeast a nearly two-point lead through two rotations.
In the third rotation, the Redhawks recorded a 47.950 on the floor exercise with Garrett posting a 9.725 to lead all Southeast gymnasts and place second overall. The Lady Lions tallied a 46.175 on beam, giving Southeast a 144.5-141.1 lead through three rotations.
The night ended with Southeast on balance beam, where it scored 47.700. Westrick's 9.675 won the event while Vanderpool placed second with a 9.625. Lindenwood finished with a 47.525 on floor.
Fosnow and Vanderpool tied for the all-around title with a 38.525. Westrick placed third with a 38.300.
The Redhawks are back in the gym on Jan. 25 when they compete in their home opener against Centenary at Houck Field House.
