OTAHK GYMNASTS TUMBLE IN HAWAII

MAUI, Hawaii -- The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team opened it season with a 188.850-184.375 loss to West Virginia in the Maui Classic Gymnastics meet Friday night.

Ironically, Malia Roberts -- a Hawaii native -- had the best outing for Southeast. Another Southeast gymnast, Melanie Krehl, is also from Hawaii. She competed in her first meet as an Otahkian in front of a "home" crowd.

Roberts took second place in the meet with a score of 37.50. She had two falls, one on the bars and one on the beam, but "her two falls seemed small compared to a huge win on the floor exercise," Southeast coach Kris Buchheister said.

Roberts scored a 9.825 on the floor.

"It was so neat to hear so many people cheering for me and hearing my nicknames," Roberts said. "I've never felt so important or special at a gymnastics competition.

"I think that we did fine considering the problems our team faced with the weather conditions in Cape. Unfortunately, the weather prevented some of our team members from getting back to Cape to practice before Hawaii."

Also finishing in the top four in different events for the Otahkians were Kathy Smith, who took third in the vault at 9.575 and fourth in the beam at 9.5; and Erin Chenier who took second in the uneven bars at 9.625.

"What a great way to open up the season," Buchheister said. "We were four points higher than our opener last season. Each event saw great potential. We had some falls on little things, but this looks to be a team of depth."