Otahk gymnasts host Illinois

Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team will take another shot at a highly-regarded foe when the University of Illinois visits Houck Field House today for a 1 p.m. dual meet.

Illinois is ranked 40th nationally. Last Saturday, the Otahkians faced 27th ranked Illinois-Chicago and dropped a tight 193.375 to 192.450 decision.

Southeast (5-4) is ranked 49th nationally with a total season average of 191.506. The Otahkians are ranked 10th in the 12-team South Central Region, two spots behind No. 8 Illinois.

"I'm looking forward to hosting a Big Ten Conference school," Southeast coach Patty Stotzheim said. "Illinois is doing well this year and I hope we draw a big crowd."

A handful of Southeast gymnasts have been plagued with illness the past several weeks, which has prevented a peak performance.