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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri gymnastics team travels westward as it competes twice in three days this weekend. The Rehawks (2-1) look for improved marks against at No. 34 BYU (8 p.m. CT) on Friday before traveling to 16th-ranked Boise State on Sunday (3 p.m. CT).
Last Week – Southeast suffered its first dual loss of the season at Northern Illinois, finishing with a team total of 192.775 and finishing one-tenth of a point short of the Huskies' 192.875 total. Three Redhawks won individual events with
Taryn Vanderpool claiming her third bars title in as many meets,
Taylor Westrick winning beam for the second time this year and
Megan Fosnow claiming vault for the third time.
About BYU – The Cougars have scored 194 or higher in four of their five meets this season and check in at 34th in the national rankings with their 194.310 average score. Raquel Willman is the team's top all-around competitor as she ranks 62nd national with an average score of 38.905. BYU's team total has improved in three-straight meets and it recorded a 195.125 at Boise State on Feb. 1.
About Boise State – The Broncos are coming off a 196.325 score against BYU that moved them up to 16th in the national rankings with their 195.300 team average. Nine BSU gymnasts rank in the top 100 nationally on individual events. The Broncos' have scored 194.700 or higher in all three of their meets.
First Touch
Where They Stand – The Redhawks' average score three meets into the year 192.892, which is 46th in the country. The top 36 teams in the final rankings automatically qualify for the various NCAA Regional Championship meets as a team. Entering competition this week, Southeast is less than a point behind Western Michigan's 36th-ranked average of 193.769.
Passing the Bar – Uneven bars has been the Redhawks' strong suit in the early going this season. Southeast sits 37th in the country with a bars average of 48.433. The Redhawks have posted their highest event score on bars in two of their first three meets of the season. Southeast totaled a 48.525 in the season opener at Lindenwood and followed that with a 48.625 vs. Centenary on Jan. 25.
Taryn Vanderpool is leading the way so far, winning the individual title in that event in all three meets.
Impact Freshman – While 11 of Southeast's 13 gymnasts were on the roster last year, the team is getting a lift from one of its freshmen already this season.
Taylor Penzien cracked the lineup in three events for each of the first two meets and made her all-around debut at Northern Illinois on Feb. 2. The freshman responded by scoring 38.350, led by a 9.750 on floor, that evening. Penzien has tallied four scores of 9.700 or higher in the past two weeks.
Relying on Experience – Southeast has been heavily dependent on its juniors and seniors, which comprise nine of 13 competitors on the roster, this season. A Redhawk upper classmen has competed in 62 of 72 routines through the first three meets of the season.
