Otahks look for a better landing in 2004

As Tom Farden begins his first season in charge of Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team, he is confident of one thing.

"In my five years here, this team is more prepared than any other team we've had," Farden said.

Farden, a Southeast assistant the past four years who was named interim head coach in August after Patty Stotzheim resigned, will lead the Otahkians into today's 2 p.m. season opener against Hamline and Wisconsin-Whitewater in St. Paul, Minn.

The Otahkians open their home schedule Jan. 23 against Bowling Green. Other home meets are Jan. 30 (Hamline), Feb. 14 (Centenary), Feb. 21 (Wisconsin-LaCrosse) and Feb. 29 (Illinois State).

"The girls have trained very hard and we're really looking forward to getting the season started," Farden said.

Farden believes big things are in store for the Otahkians, who went just 8-13 last season -- they are 32-50 over the past four years and have not had a winning record since 1998 -- but posted the third-highest all-around score, top balance beam score and second-best uneven bars score in school history.

"I feel like this will be a really big year," said Farden. "Our goal is to make it to regionals as a team and I feel that's a realistic goal. The keys are consistency and energy."

Regional qualifier returns

Farden appears to have considerable talent to work with, led by two-time regional qualifier Ashley Godwin, a senior, and sophomore Tara Boldt. They were two of last season's standouts.

Godwin broke the school all-around and beam records last year while turning in the second-best bars score and fifth-best score in the floor exercise. Boldt had the second-highest beam score in team history.

Godwin and Boldt both believe making it to regionals as a team is well within the Otahkians' range.

"We're going to regionals. That's the big goal. We've already talked about it," Godwin said. "It's been awesome for me to go to regionals the last two years and it would be great for the whole team to join in."

Said Boldt, "It should be a big year for us. Regionals is the goal and I think we're right on track."

The Otahkians return seven other gymnasts, including Jacklyn Doebbler, the squad's only other senior. Also back from last season are juniors Katie Bloom, Crystal Eberhardt, Traci Jo Flippo and Alexis Traylor, along with sophomores Kelly Baldridge and Amanda Grimes.

Farden also expects freshmen Lexie Hein, Lily Le, Brystol Powelski and Natalie Watts to contribute, although Powelski will miss at least the early part of the season with an injury.

"I've been told we've never been more prepared to start the season," Le said. "From how we've been training, I just feel like we're going to hit big this year."

Farden likes that talk and he believes the same thing.

"We've got 13 gymnasts and I look for all 13 to contribute," Farden said. "I'm pretty excited about the season."

Farden is also excited to have first-year assistant coach Lara Degenhardt, a former Oregon State standout, on his staff.

"She's competed at a high level and can really relate to the girls," Farden said. "She has added a lot to our program."