OTAHK GYMNASTS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, WIN DUEL MEET

Southeast Missouri State University's women's gymnastics team turned in another season-high score Saturday night as the Otahkians rolled to a dual-meet victory over Centenary College.

The Otahkians finished with a 193.225 total in action at Houck Field House as they improved their season record to 6-3, including a 5-0 home mark. Centenary scored 179.300.

An announced crowd of 1,486 turned out to watch the Otahkians in their next-to-last home meet of the season. Southeast will close out the home schedule Monday when Illinois State and Iowa visit Houck for a 7 p.m. tri-meet.

"We're right on track to peek in April at the NIT and we still have a good shot at qualifying for the regionals," said an extremely satisfied Southeast coach Kris Buchheister. "We're doing what we need to do, it just depends on what everyone else does.

"I was really impressed with the large crowd and our gymnasts really noticed the energy of the crowd and fed off them. We had a great set of routines and an excellent outcome."

Southeast dominated every event, owning at least the top four spots in all four events and also owning the top two all-around scores, led by Malia Roberts (38.875) and Erin Chenier (38.775).

Roberts was first on bars (9.825), followed by Aaron Craig (9.725), Kristin Frohlich (9.700) and Chenier (9.625).

Erica Smith captured the balance beam competition (9.725), followed by Roberts (9.625), Kathy Smith (9.525) and Chenier (9.450).

Chenier won vaulting (9.825). Amanda Gdovicak and Kathy Smith tied for second (9.725), with Jen Leaman next (9.675).

Chenier and Roberts tied for first in the floor exercise (9.875), ahead of Craig (9.825), Gdovicak (9.650) and Hazel Stricker (9.650).