Meet Notes | Live Stats | @SEMOGymnastics | Live Video

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - After spending last weekend on the East Coast, the Southeast Missouri gymnastics team will spend the coming weekend on the West Coast. The Redhawks travel to Sacramento, Calif., to face Sacramento State. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
 
Last Meet –  The Redhawks finished second of four teams at Penn State with a 193.800. Southeast finished second in each event, behind Penn State and topped fellow MIC member UIC and Cornell. The Performance saw identical scores of 9.675 on the vault and bars, a much-improved 48.175 on the beam and a 48.275 on the floor.

Penn State won the meet with a 196.025 while Cornell scored a 191.000 and UIC rounded out the field with a 189.125.
 
About Sacramento State – The Hornets have competed three times in the 2014 season, with three third-place finishes. The top output of the season as a team, came in the first meet with a score of 194.400 where Sacramento State faced California, San Jose State, Stanford and UC Davis.  The Hornets have since followed the opening meet with scores of 192.225 and 192.450.
 
Individually, 19 different gymnasts have competed. The top vaulter is Kalliah McCartney, who has been given a score of 9.875. On the uneven bars Kaila Kilwein has hit a 9.800 and has a season average of 9.717. On the balance beam, McCartney again posts the squad's best score with a 9.808. On the floor, Katie Osaki and Dallas Smith each average a 9.725 to lead the team.
 
McCartney is the squads lone all around gymnast and has an average of 38.600. Her season-high of 38.650 came in the season's second meet.
 
First Touch:
 
Who 2 Watch 4: Taryn Vanderpool excelled in Saturday's meet at perennially-ranked Penn State. The senior scored a season-high 38.975 in the all around. She earned a third-place finish on the balance beam with a 9.775. Vanderpool posted season-high scores on the uneven bars (9.825) and floor exercise (9.700). She took fourth in the all around. The Redhawks finished the meet in second place with a score of 193.800 and beat fellow Midwest Independent Conference member Illinois-Chicago.
 
National Ranks – After two meets, Southeast fairs well in the national rankings, reeling in the 31st spot in the Vault, 28th in the bars, and 39th as a team. Individually, Taryn Vanderpool ranks 39th in the all around while Alyssa Tucker is just behind in the 41st spot.
 
Vanderpool Named Top Gymnast in MIC in Week 2 – Taryn Vanderpool was named the Midwest Independent Conference Gymnast of the Week after her performance at Penn State.
 
First Impressions: Head Coach Kristi Ewasko has consistently sent out five freshmen in competition, including four out of the six vaulters. Chelsi Hamilton owns the top vault for Southeast this year, with a 9.800, which she has achieved twice. Bailey Walker owns the top floor routine with a 9.725, a number she hit in the season opener against Kent State. Alyssa Tucker is one of two Redhawks who competes all around while Ashley Thomas competes on the vault and beam.
 
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.