OTAHK GYMNASTICS HOLDS FINAL HOME MEET TODAY VS. AUBURN

Auburn of the Southeastern Conference will be the final home opponent for the Southeast Missouri State University gymnastics team today.

The Otahkians and Tigers will square off in a 2 p.m. dual meet at Houck Field House.

Southeast and Auburn are both seeking big scores to enhance chances of earning an NCAA Regional berth. Southeast is sixth in Region 3 with a regional qualifying score of 193.28 while Auburn is eighth in Region 4 with a regional qualifying score of 192.11.

"We need a score in the 190s in our final home meet in order to enhance our chances of being one of the six teams in the Region 3 finals at Nebraska on April 10," said Southeast coach Kris Buchheister. "We moved up from eighth place with our score of 193.30 against Central Michigan on Wednesday night.

"Now we need to replace that score with a higher score to move us up in the region."

Six teams will compete in the Region 3 meet, but under a new procedure the top 12 teams nationally will be seeded, with two of the seeded teams assigned to each of six regionals. That leaves four slots for teams from the region.

"Depending on how many of the teams in our region are seeded in the top 12, we could get in if we remain in the sixth position, but the only way to be sure we are in is to be in the top four," Buchheister said.

Today's meet will be the final home competition for five Southeast seniors: Erin Chenier, Aaron Craig, Amanda Gdovicak, Cristie Logan and Erica Smith.

"To have five seniors who have all made contributions this season is really phenomenal," said Buchheister. "This group of seniors has not only performed well but has provided great leadership both in competition and in the classroom."

Chenier is one of the top gymnasts in Southeast history. She holds the school all-around record of 39.525 and is tied for school records in bars with 9.9 and in floor exercise, where she recorded a perfect 10 in 1997.

"Erin is one of the top seniors in the nation," said Buchheister. "It is unfortunate that her senior season has been hampered by an ankle injury, but she is getting close to being fully recovered and that will certainly help us in our final meets as we attempt to qualify for regionals.

"Erin is certainly one of the greatest if not the greatest gymnast in Southeast history."