Otahks rewrite records in win over Centenary

Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team, already in the midst of its best season in several years, reached new heights Saturday night.

Competing in front of their home fans at Houck Field House, the Otahkians set or tied eight school records and established 12 personal bests during a 195.350-192.475 victory over Centenary.

The team score ties the third-best mark in school history. Southeast's 49.500 floor exercise score ties the all-time school record while the Otahkians tied for ninth all-time on the balance beam (48.750) and tied for 10th all-time in vaulting (48.625).

"It was just a great meet for us," said Southeast coach Tom Farden, whose squad improved to 8-2.

Senior Ashley Godwin highlighted the Otahkians' individual performances. She earned just the sixth perfect score in school history with a 10.0 in the floor exercise, tied for first all-time on bars with 9.925 and turned in the third-best all-around score ever with 39.450.

Junior Alexis Traylor nearly matched Godwin's floor performance with a 9.950 that tied for the fifth-best score in Southeast history.

"Ashley's 10.0 and Alexis' 9.950 on floor were nothing shy of amazing," Farden said.

Sophomore Tara Boldt was second behind Godwin in the all-around at 39.075. Junior Katie Bloom was fifth (38.100).

On the floor, after Godwin and Traylor, Boldt placed third (9.875).

Bloom and freshman Brystol Powelski both scored 9.800 in vaulting to tie for first, and Godwin was third (9.725).

Following Godwin's winning performance on bars, Powelski was third (9.825).

Southeast failed to win just one event, the beam. Junior Crystal Eberhardt was second (9.825) and Godwin third (9.800).