Otahks send foursome to regional

Ashley Godwin figures it's a great way to wind up a record-setting career.

Tara Boldt, Alexis Traylor and Katie Bloom figure it's a great way to gain experience and build some major momentum for the remainder of their careers.

Those four Southeast Missouri State University gymnasts make up one of the school's largest-ever qualifying groups for tonight's NCAA Division I South Central Regional in Tucson, Ariz.

"I was surprised to get that many through," Southeast coach Tom Farden said. "Of course, we would have liked to send the whole team and we almost made it, but it's still tremendous for our program and great for these four athletes.

"It's an honor to make it to regionals, and it's a reward for the great seasons they've had."

Godwin, a senior all-arounder, will be making her third consecutive regional appearance. One of the top gymnasts in school history, she figures it's a nice way to say farewell to her collegiate career.

"I can't complain. It's nice to go three years in a row," said Godwin, who was Southeast's only regional qualifier last season. "And it's awesome to not be the only one going this year. These younger girls, they'll be able to explain to the team how awesome it is."

Godwin holds school records in the all-around and balance beam, and she is tied for school marks in the uneven bars and floor exercise. Her floor score of 10.0 this year marked just the sixth perfect score in Southeast history for any event.

"She's no doubt been one of the best gymnasts in school history, and maybe the very best," Farden said.

Only the top two all-around competitors and the individual event winners not on regional qualifying teams earn berths.

Godwin knows it will be difficult to qualify for nationals, but she'll simply give it her best. Last year, she narrowly mised qualifying.

"Like last year, I won't even think about it. I'll just go and have fun," she said. "Last year I came close and I'll just see what happens."

Boldt, a sophomore all-arounder, Traylor (floor exercise) and Bloom (all-around) -- both juniors -- all will be making their first regional appearance. Bloom is an alternate and likely won't compete.

"I'm very excited," Boldt said. "It was a goal of mine to make it and I was really excited when I found out I did. And it's going to be very exciting to be going with some teammates."

Boldt, who is tied for the second-highest balance beam score in school history, said she will use this year's experience as a building block for the future.

"Hopefully I can keep building on this for my next two years, and hopefully do better each year," she said. "It's a learning experience, definitely."

Traylor is tied for the fourth-best floor exercise score in Southeast history. She is also excited about the opportunity to compete against some of the nation's premier gymnasts.

"This was my big goal, to qualify for regionals, and I'm really happy to be able to accomplish it," she said. "This year I just want to go and see what it's like to go against the best girls in the country, and hopefully next year we can make it as a team because we were so close."

Bloom knows that, barring an injury or illness by other athletes prior to the meet, she likely won't actually compete in the regional. But she figures the experience of attending the event will still be invaluable.

"It will be good just to get my bearings while I'm there and see the level of competition," Bloom said. "Hopefully next year I can make it, and hopefully the entire team can make it. We were so close this year."