Krengiel helps Redhawks to duel victory

Kelley Krengiel figured it was about time.

Krengiel, a junior on the Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team, claimed the first event title of her collegiate career Friday night.

"It was really exciting," she said. "I've been waiting for a while."

Krengiel's victory on bars -- she scored a career-high 9.800 -- was part of the Redhawks' 194.150-193.775 win over Illinois State at Houck Field House.

"I'm very happy for Kelley," Southeast coach Tom Farden said. "She stayed here over the summer and worked really, really hard."

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comSoutheast Missouri State's Kelley Krengiel performs on the uneven bars Friday against Illinois State at Houck Field House. Krengiel scored a 9.800.

Krengiel, who is from the Chicago suburb of Lemont, Ill., agreed that remaining in Cape Girardeau to train during the summer has boosted her performance level.

"It's helped a lot," she said. "I was in the gym a lot. It's my favorite place."

Krengiel missed her entire freshman campaign with an injury, and last year her season high was 9.650. She said Friday's victory should do plenty for her confidence.

"This helps a lot," she said.

Also having a strong meet was junior Rikara Turner, which is nothing new.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comSoutheast Missouri's Sandra Blake flies on the vault at a home meet against Illinois State Friday at the Houck Field House. Blake placed second behind Brianna Gaddie for the event.

Turner captured her fourth all-around title of the season with a score of 39.050. She edged out teammate Sandra Blake, a senior who finished second at 38.925.

"Rikara and Sandy had good meets," Farden said.

Turner said her first goal is always to "just hit for the team."

But she added: "It's always exciting to win."

Sophomore Brianna Gaddie was a double winner for the Redhawks as she claimed the vault (9.825) and floor (9.900).

The Redhawks needed all those performances to squeeze out a win over a tough Illinois State team that had by far its best score of the year.

"They stepped up. They were awesome," Farden said of the Redbirds.

As has been the case several times this season, the Redhawks (7-2) needed a big score on their final event -- floor -- to pull out the victory.

Southeast trailed entering the floor exercise, but its score of 49.350 -- No. 5 on the program's all-time list -- was enough to rally past ISU (5-7).

"I don't like it that tight," said Farden, whose squad is ranked 32nd nationally. "In the end we have to stop relying on floor to get it done.

"We were a half-point behind [entering the final event]. That's a lot to make up."

The only thing holding the Redhawks back from a really big score was their performance on beam, which included several falls.

Southeast's other three events were solid, including a 48.825 on vault that ties for sixth on the all-time list.

"Three events were championship caliber tonight," Farden said. "I don't know what happened on the balance beam. I think the kids just lost their focus."

In addition to winning three of the four events, the Redhawks had several other top-three finishes.

Turner, Blake and junior Jena Nguyen all tied for second on floor (9.875).

Turner was second on beam (9.750) and third on vault (9.750).

Blake placed second on vault (9.800) and freshman Emily Mann finished second on bars (9.775).

ISU's lone win came from Hannah Deutsch on beam (9.800).

Southeast has another home meet Thursday, against Ball State at 6 p.m.