OTAHK GYMNASTS TAKE THIRD IN CAT CLASSIC

COLUMBIA -- Southeast Missouri State's Malia Roberts tied for first place with a score of 9.825 in the uneven parallel bars to lead the Otahkian gymnastics team to a third-place finish in the team competition of the Cat Classic at the Hearnes Center Friday night.

Host Missouri took first place (193.800) in the four-team meet. The University of Pittsburgh placed second (190.075), Southeast finished third (190.075) and Northern Illinois University ended up fourth (188.475).

Each of the four events included 24 competitors.

Roberts tied with Samanth Salyers of Pittsburgh for Southeast's highest finish.

Stephanie Furman garnered second place (9.675) in the vault for Southeast, and took sixth (9.750) in the floor exercise.

Kathy Smith grabbed third (9.825) on the balance beam, while Jessica Dunbar finished fifth (9.750) on the uneven parallel bars. Jessica Bagwill ended the all-around competition in seventh-place (36.900).

In Saturday's individual competition, Smith placed first in the balance beam (9.8), the highest Southeast finish of the day.

Furman took second (9.725) in the vault and Smith finished third (9.675), while Jessica Dunbar placed fourth (9.725) in the uneven parallel bars.