OTAHK GYMNASTS TO OPEN SEASON IN THE WARMTH OF MAUI CLASSIC

While the rest of Cape Girardeau is still trying to thaw out of the recent deep freeze that hit the area, Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team is getting ready for some sun and fun in Hawaii.

The Otahkians will today fly from St. Louis to Hawaii, where they will open the 1999 season Friday night against West Virginia in the Maui Classic. Southeast will return to Cape Girardeau next Wednesday.

"I know all the girls are excited about the trip," said Southeast coach Kris Buchheister. "As cold as it's been around here, it'll be nice to go some place where it's warm."

The trip to Hawaii was actually something of a late deal. Explained Buchheister, who is entering her second season as the Otahkians' coach:

"We were on the waiting list to get in this meet and I got a call at the beginning of October from the assistant coach at West Virginia who said that if we don't go to Hawaii, then they don't go either.

"The university was great about everything and gave us the go-ahead. We did a lot of fund-raising events and we had a lot of help from Hawaii as far as arranging host families. We raised $13,000 in 4 1/2 weeks for our air fare and we made our dream come true."

Buchheister is especially pleased to be making the trip because two of her gymnasts -- junior Malia Roberts and sophomore Melanie Krehl -- are from Maui.

"I think it's great for them to get to open the season in front of their family," Buchheister said.

According to Buchheister, the Maui Classic annually features a dual meet between collegiate teams and then an age-group meet for younger gymnasts over the weekend.

"It's a good recruiting tool for us," she said. "We'll have our meet Friday, then the age-group meet and then we'll have four days to visit some of the local gyms and have fun."

The Otahkians went 14-8 overall during Buchheister's first season last year and the coach has high hopes of a much-improved campaign this time around.

"I'm very optimistic," she said. "This is only my second year, but Mark Sontag (Southeast's veteran assistant coach) is a good barometer for how we look. He said this fall that this was the best-looking team he's seen here in nine years."

Buchheister will be counting on contributions from five seniors, six juniors, two sophomores and five freshmen. Fourteen of the gymnasts return from last year's young team.

Leading the way will be last year's two NCAA Regional qualifiers: senior Erin Chenier and Roberts.

Chenier is ready to cap off one of the top careers in Southeast history as she holds or shares school records in all-around (39.525), floor (10.0) and bars (9.9). She led last year's squad in average scoring in vaulting (9.766), beam (9.566) and all-around (38.489).

Roberts has already had two star-studded seasons for the Otahkians and appears poised for a third. She was the Otahkians' leader last year in average scoring on bars (9.681) and floor (9.663).

"They both had great seasons last year and we'll be looking to them for a lot of leadership," said Buchheister.

Joining Chenier in a strong senior class are Aaron Craig, Amanda Gdovicak, Cristie Logan and Erica Smith.

Joining Roberts in a solid junior class are Heather Browning, Jessica Dunbar, Cari Egbert, Ericka Harrison and Megan Owen. Harrison shares Southeast's school record on beam (9.925).

Sophomores Krehl and Kathy Smith return from last year's team.

Freshmen looking to make an impact are Jessica Bagwill, Stephanie Furman, Karen Hamilton, Michelle Walker and Elenor Wilson.

"We're looking forward to the season," Buchheister said. "We've got another great schedule and our goal is to make it to the NCAA Regionals as a team."

Southeast's first home meet will be Jan. 30 against Illinois State. Other home meets are Feb. 7 (Illinois-Chicago), Feb. 21 (Illinois, Missouri), March 10 (Central Michigan) and March 14 (Auburn).

In addition to Friday's action, other road meets are Jan. 17 (Missouri), Feb. 12 (Ball State), March 5 (Oregon State), March 6 (Boise State), March 15 (Illinois State) and March 19 (LSU).