FARRING-10: OTAHK SENIOR PURSUES ANOTHER PERFECT SCORE

Kate Farrington is the only gymnast to score a perfect 10 in the history of the Southeast Missouri State gymnastics program. She accomplished that feat during the vaulting event in 1995 as a sophomore.

The lone senior on a squad of 20 gymnasts, Farrington is primed and ready to push the limits in search of another 10 during her final season. She has done everything but score a 10 this season. She has posted three consecutive scores of 9.9 on floor routines to lead Southeast.

The flaxen-haired therapeutic major is also the team leader in the vault this season with a score of 9.875, which she recorded last weekend at Texas Women's University. She accomplished the feat despite competing with a visibly bruised leg, injured in a mishap on the beam in practice two days earlier.

Farrington limped through the first three meets of the season as she nursed a knee injury. She showed local fans she was healthy again during the Cap'n Crunch meet Feb. 8 with a 9.9 performance on the floor, a routine which drew a rousing response from the audience.

She played an inspirational role for her teammates during a come-from-behind victory at the meet. Teammates Erin Chenier and Malia Roberts followed Farrington with two more 9.9s on the floor to record a 1-2-3 sweep in the event and seal a victory for Southeast. They also set a school record as the first trio to score 9.9 at any meet.

Despite the injury, her coach credited her with providing much of the scoring punch for the team during the early part of the season.

"Kate has been carrying the scoring load for us on three events and I look for her to move back in as an all-arounder for us this weekend," said Southeast coach Bill Hopkins.

Farrington is third on the all-time all-around scoring list at Southeast with a 39.150 and she is ready to reclaim her position in the all-around competition.

"I wasn't really with it for the first two meets, but now I feel like I am really back and it feels so good," Farrington said with an enthusiastic grin.

"I honestly feel like this year is going to be even better than my sophomore year. I want to keep getting better and have people remember Kate Farrington on a good note during my senior year. This is what it is all about. I love to perform in front of a big crowd and help contribute to our team scores and qualify for regionals."

Though very serious during competition, Farrington is viewed by her teammates as an entertaining personality, especially on the road.

"Kate is a very powerful and talented gymnast and she is very supportive of all of us," said teammate Erin Chenier. "She is very competitive and that causes each of us to push ourselves even harder. Kate expects a lot from herself and that helps to set an example for the younger gymnasts."

Missouri is coming to town Saturday and Farrington is hoping the Tigers again bring out her best. Last year in Columbia, Farrington won the all-around competition with a 38.175.

The Otahkians will try to keep a three-meet win streak intact when Missouri visits for the 7 p.m. meet at Houck Field House.