OTAHKIAN GYMNASTS TO VAULT INTO ACTION

It might not be apparent right away, said coach Bill Hopkins, but Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team should once again have a banner season.

"We're going to kind of limp into our first competition," said Hopkins, whose squad has been ravaged by injuries so far. "But we have a deep team with a lot of talent. Even with the injuries, we're going to put a good team on the floor."

The Otahkians, who open the 1997 season Saturday on the road against Iowa State, feature a team with eight returning letterwinners, 11 freshmen and one transfer. Hopkins is excited about his team's prospects, particularly once his injured gymnasts begin to get healthy.

"We have an excellent team and I see no reason why we shouldn't battle for an NCAA (regional) berth," said Hopkins, in his 18th season as the Otahkians' coach.

Southeast enters the campaign already assured of a postseason berth because the team has been invited to the National Invitational Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. Southeast has hosted the NIT the past four seasons; this year's meet will be at Iowa.

"It's always nice to know you'll be in the postseason," Hopkins said. "That takes a lot of the pressure off. But this team is good enough for the NCAAs."

Of Southeast's 20 gymnasts, six will definitely miss the opening meet with injuries and Kate Farrington -- the team's lone senior -- is questionable.

"Luckily we've got enough depth that we certainly won't put a bad team on the floor for our first meets," said Hopkins. "But a few weeks from now, we should be in a lot better shape."

In addition to Farrington, who is the only Southeast gymnast to ever score a perfect 10.0, another key gymnast returning is sophomore Erin Chenier, last year's top all-around who won the 1996 NIT balance beam.

"We've got an awesome team this year," said Chenier. "Getting to regionals is our goal. That, and to break the school record for highest score."

Other key returning gymnasts are juniors Rebekah Brajcki and Erica Smith -- the team's co-captains -- along with sophomore Cristie Logan, junior Kristin Frohlich, sophomore Aaron Craig and junior Jennifer Leaman.

"We've got a very talented group returning from last year, and we've added some outstanding freshmen to that group," said Hopkins.

Freshmen on the squad are Malia Roberts, Heather Browning, Jessica Dunbar, Cari Egbert, Ericka Harrison, Meredith Keen, Megan Owen, Hazel Stricker, Jennifer Wall and twins Andrea and Kendra Farris. Another newcomer is sophomore Amanda Gdovicak, who transferred from Central Michigan.

"You don't win college gymnastics meets with one or two superstars," said Hopkins. "That's what is exciting about this team. We're very balanced, we have tremendous depth and we will not be relying on only two or three people to carry the lead.

"Making our lineup this year is going to be difficult for the coaches, but that's the kind of difficulty that will make this team great."

In addition to Farrington, other gymnasts currently out with injuries are Craig, Owen, Harrison, Keen and the Farris sisters.

While Hopkins likes the talent and enthusiasm on this year's team -- "It's one of the most fun groups I can remember," he said -- the coach is just as proud of Southeast's academic prowess.

According to Hopkins, the Otahkians had a collective 3.37 grade-point average for the first semester and four athletes -- Logan, Leaman, Dunbar and Stricker -- all turned in perfect 4.0 marks.

"This group not only excels in the gym but also in the classroom," he said.

Once again the Otahkians will face a top-flight schedule that features six home meets and a road test against national champion Alabama.

The first home meet will be Jan. 27 when three teams -- including powerful Nebraska -- come to Cape Girardeau. Another highlight is the annual Cap'n Crunch Invitational on Feb. 8.

"We've got a great schedule with a variety of competition," Hopkins said.

SEMO Gymnastics

1996-97 Schedule

(Home meets in CAPS)

January

11 -- at Iowa State, 1 p.m.; 17 -- at Ball State, 7 p.m.; 27 -- KZIM/SCHNUCKS INVITATIONAL (Show Me Center), 7 p.m.

February

2 -- at Iowa, 1 p.m.; 8 -- CAPTAIN CRUNCH INVITATIONAL (Show Me Center), 7 p.m.; 15 -- at Texas Women's, 7 p.m.; 22 -- MISSOURI (Houck Field House), 7 p.m.; 27 -- EASTERN MICHIGAN (Houck Field House), 7 p.m.

March

8 -- at Alabama, 7 p.m.; 11 -- ILLINOIS STATE (Houck Field House), 7 p.m.; 14 -- IOWA (Houck Field House), 7 p.m.; 18 -- at Illinois State, 7 p.m.; 22 -- at Midwest Independent Championships, DeKalb, Ill., TBA

April

12 -- at National Invitational Tournament, Iowa City, Iowa, TBA.