Otahkians finish second in triangular home meet

Southeast Missouri State University's gymnasts won the battle but lost the war Friday night.

The Otahkians captured two of the top three all-around positions and posted a team score of 192.85, but Ball State sizzled with a 194.375 to win the triangular meet in front of 425 fans at Houck Field House. Illinois State was third with 190.875.

"I'm pretty happy with the way we performed," Southeast coach Patty Stotzheim said. "We've got three meets left and I hope we can maintain this kind of score and even go higher."

Ball State, ranked 29th nationally, scored 194 or better for the fourth time this season.

"We had a good meet," Ball State coach Mary Roth said. "We didn't count any falls, which is the way we wan to make the meet go."

Sophomore standout Ashley Godwin paced the Otahkians by winning the all-around title with a score of 39.025, which fell just short of her season's best 39.100. It was Godwin's 11th individual title of the year.

"I did good I guess. I can't complain," Godwin said. "I think everything is finally coming together for us. It was good to beat Illinois State because they've beaten us the last three times."

Ball State's Amy Bodus was second in the all-around (38.750) while Southeast's Amy Cole placed third (38.550).

"That's the second meet in a row Amy's hit four-for-four. So did Ashley," Stotzheim said.

Ball State sweeps

Bell State won each of the four individual events. Renee Planck won the balance beam (9.750) and uneven bars (9.825); Quiana Williams won the vault (9.825); and Jenny Gantt captured the floor exercise (9.825).

Godwin was second on the balance beam as she tied with teammate Stephanie Furman (9.725) and Godwin was second in the floor exercise (9.800) while tying for third on the vault (9.750).

Cole tied for third in the floor exercise (9.750) to round out the Otahkians' top-three finishes.

"We had a good meet and I think we got the scores we earned," Stotzheim said. "Ball State has some really good skill and they deserve the scores they got."