Godwin, Walker look for big finish to season

For Ashley Godwin, qualifying for the South Central Regional gymnastics championships was redemption.

For Michelle Walker, it was a fitting way to end her college career.

Godwin, a sophomore, and Walker, a senior, will represent Southeast Missouri State University at Saturday's regional meet on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe.

"It's an honor for both of them and they're both very deserving," Southeast coach Patty Stotzheim said. "Ashley would have been there last year so it's nice for her, and I'm really happy for Michelle, being a senior."

Godwin appeared headed for a regional berth last year but an injury toward the end of the season prevented that from happening.

"This kind of makes up for last year," Godwin said. "After what happened last year, this was definitely a goal of mine."

After putting together a big freshman season, Godwin has taken her performance to an even higher level this year. During the season-ending Midwest Independent Championships in Chicago, Godwin recorded the second-best beam score in school history (9.900) and the third-best all-around score in school history (39.275).

"Ashley had another very good year, and just being a sophomore, she should continue to get better," Stotzheim said.

Godwin said advancing to the national meet will be difficult, so her goal is to do her best and also bring plenty of motivation back to the squad for next season.

"I'm excited. It's going to be fun," she said. "I just want to go out, have fun and do the best I can. There are no real worries because I know it will be hard to move on to nationals.

"And I think I can use this as motivation for the next two years. I can bring this back to the team so hopefully we can qualify as a team the next two years. I think we can do it."

While Godwin is not even halfway done with her college career, Saturday's meet will mark the end of the line for Walker, who said she is elated to be going out with a bang.

"Making it to regionals was a goal of mine all four years and I finally made it," she said. "I tried not to think about it during the season. I tried to keep it in the back of my mind, but being a senior, I'm really happy to be going."

Walker thought she might have blown her chance during the Midwest Independent Championships when she fell during her floor routine. But she still wound up having a high enough qualifying score.

"I was pretty upset," she said. "I thought I blew my chances, but when I found out I made it I was very excited."

Like Godwin, Walker said it will be next to impossible to qualify for nationals. So she's going to take the same approach as her teammate.

"I just want to do my best and enjoy the trip," she said. "It's just a nice way to end my career."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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