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CAPE GIRARDAU, Mo. - After opening at home for just the second time in six years, the Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team travels to Penn State for a quadrangular Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
On Tap – Going from one coast to the other, Southeast travels to Sacramento State for a dual on Jan. 24
 
Last Meet – Southeast produced its highest opening-meet point total since 2008 in a 194.725-192.375 loss to Kent State. In the meet, Alyssa Tucker's collegiate debut saw her post a 38.875 in the all around and earn co-champion honors on the beam with a 9.750. Fellow Freshman Chelsi Hamilton vaulted a 9.800 while senior Taryn Vanderpool posted a 38.825 in the all around.
 
About Penn State – The Nittany Lions scored season-best scores on the uneven bars and floor exercise at Kentucky last weekend. Penn State finished with a 193.975 to finish second in the four-team meet. Kassidy Stauder led the squad in the all-around with a 38.925.
 
About Cornell – The Big Red finished second of four teams at the Lindsey Freeis Invitational last weekend. Cornell had the top beam score with a 47.150 and Maia Vernacchia individually with a 9.600.
 
About UIC – The Flames scored 190.000 points against No. 17 Arizona in their season opener. Catherine Dion posted the top scores for UIC including placing first in the uneven bars with a 9.800. She finished with a 39.050 in the all around.
 
First Touch:
 
Who 2 Watch 4: Alyssa Tucker made quite a first impression in her collegiate debut for the Southeast Missouri gymnastics team against Kent State. The freshman was co-champion on the balance beam with a 9.750 and took second in the all-around with a score of 38.875. The Raleigh, N.C. native opened the meet with a 9.750 on the vault and followed that up with a 9.725 on the bars. She closed the meet with a 9.650 on floor exercise.
 
National Ranks – After one meet, Southeast fairs well in the national rankings, reeling in the 31st spot in the Vault, 26th in the bars, and 40th as a team. Individually, Tucker ranks 38th in the all around while Vanderpool is 41st.
 
Welcome Back – The Redhawks welcome back seven returner's from a year ago, including five seniors. Taryn Vanderpool advanced to the regional's as a junior while Megan Fosnow was a 2012 regional qualifier. Other seniors including Erin Brady, Samantha Marrero and Kimmie Pickerl. The sophomore class includes 2013 MIC Newcomer of the Year Taylor Penzien along with Haylie Huiner.
 
Welcome to the Team– Seven freshmen will look to make an impact on the team this year. They include: Chelsi Hamilton, Lauren Israel, Chloe Marshall, Alexandria Stokes, Ashley Thomas, Alyssa Tucker and Bailey Walker.
 
Trying to Head Back to the Regional – Taryn Vanderpool had a breakout junior season that saw her advance to the regional meet in Norman, Okla., a year ago. The senior will be poised to make another regional run after posting a 12th place finish. Hoping to join her will be 2012 qualifier Megan Fosnow. The then-sophomore competed in the all-around.
 
Vanderpool and Fosnow Tandem – The duo of Taryn Vanderpool and Megan Fosnow have a combined 98 scores of 9.700 or better. With a team that is half freshmen, the 98 times of 9.700 or better is more than 2.5 times than the rest of the roster who has combined for 39 scores of 9.700 or better. Fosnow has hit that mark 55 times while Vanderpool has hit a 9.700 or better 43 times. Vanderpool did so 30 times last season alone.
 
Academic National Champion - Southeast Missouri earned the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women academic national championship after posting a 3.8146 GPA last year. The Redhawks claimed the title over Western Michigan, who accumulated a 3.8086 GPA. Six Redhawks earned perfect 4.0 GPA's.