OTAHKIAN GYMNASTS PLACE SECOND IN NIT

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's gymnastics team came up a bit short here Saturday night in its bid for the National Invitational Tournament championship.

The Otahkians, who entered the eight-team meet as the top seed, finished second behind Michigan State. The Spartans scored 194.375 while Southeast scored 193.425.

Rounding out the field were Boise State (193.250), Towson State (192.625), host Iowa (192.600), San Jose State (189.850), Rutgers (188.575) and Northern Illinois (185.275).

Southeast had no individual champions, the Otahkians' top finish being a second-place by Kate Farrington in vaulting as she earned a 9.9.

Malia Roberts tied for second on bars (9.875) while Erin Chenier tied for third in vaulting (9.875) and Ericka Harrison tied for third on beam (9.825). Roberts was sixth on floor (9.8) and Kristin Frohlich was seventh on beam (9.8).

The Otahkians' two all-arounders, Chenier and Farrington, scored 38.475 and 38.450, but neither placed among the top eight.

Southeast finished the season with a host of school records, including the all-time record team score of 196.025. The Otahkians lose just one senior, Farrington.