PERFECT ENDING? SE's FARRINGTON PREPARES FOR HER FINAL COLLEGE MEET

Kate Farrington doesn't profess to be a perfect gymnast. But a few judges who have scored some of the routines during her brilliant Southeast Missouri State University career beg to differ.

Four times over the past three years -- including three times this season -- Farrington has received perfect scores of 10.

A perfect score has only happened five times in the history of Southeast's highly successful women's gymnastics program. And until Farrington recorded the feat two years ago, Southeast had never had a gymnast score a perfect 10.

"All the girls kid me and call me `Farring-Ten,' " said Farrington with a laugh prior to Wednesday's practice at Parker Gym. "But I'm not cocky about it or anything.

"Nobody's perfect. But it's the goal of every gymnast to be perfect once. It was awesome when it happened the first time two years ago. But this year it was even more special because I know my routines are more solid. Two years ago it seemed more like luck, even though I know it wasn't. This year it seems more like skill."

And making this year's perfect scores even more special, said Farrington, was the fact one of her teammates joined her in the elite club. During Southeast's final home meet, against Iowa, Farrington and sophomore sensation Erin Chenier posted consecutive 10s in the floor exercise.

"Me and Erin getting it right in a row was great," said Farrington.

As the only senior on a Southeast squad that has shattered the school's record score several times this season, Farrington is getting ready to put the wraps on a sensational career.

"Kate has had just a tremendous career for us," said Southeast coach Bill Hopkins. "She's been a rock all four years, especially with her floor and vaulting.

"She was our first gymnast to ever get a 10. And this year she's gotten three more. That's pretty impressive."

Perhaps even more impressive about what Farrington has been able to accomplish is the fact she didn't have a big-time club background that is typical of most top collegiate gymnasts.

A native of Decatur, Ill., Farrington grew up competing in gymnastics at the local YMCA.

"Most girls who come from good clubs work out 20 hours a week or more," she said. "We worked out six hours a week. My parents never put pressure on me.'

Looking back, she said she wouldn't have it any other way. Not being totally consumed with gymnastics allowed the bubbly, effervescent Farrington -- she seems to wear a constant smile on her face -- to become involved in a variety of activities.

"I played every sport. In high school, I played tennis, swimming, softball, basketball, I was a cheerleader," she said. "But gymnastics was what I loved."

As it turned out, Farrington had the skill to attract the attention of college recruiters, including Hopkins.

"Kate, from the first time I saw a tape on her, had such a disadvantage because she came from a little club that didn't practice much at all," Hopkins said. "But I knew she was a super talent."

Said Farrington, "I saw coach Hopkins at the Coca Cola Classic in St. Louis. I talked to him and my coach at the time said this was a really good program."

It has certainly been good for Farrington, who feels some sadness as she prepares for Saturday's National Invitational Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa -- which will be the final meet of her Southeast gymnastics career.

"The years here have just flown by," she said. "Some of the girls are like, `you're so lucky, you're done and your body can recover now.' But I'm like, `don't wish it away. Because it goes so fast.'

"I started (gymnastics) when I was three. For 19 years, this is what I've done. I'm already sad. I think about my career and I get tears in my eyes. I've made a lot of good friends and I feel so close to all these girls."

Despite the sadness at ending her career, Farrington can only smile broadly when she thinks about the way her final season has gone.

Asked about her best memory as an Otahkian gymnast, Farrington -- without hesitation -- said, "My senior year. Definitely. We've had so much fun. It's just been great."

Farrington, who is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in therapeutical recreation, wants to some day work setting up wellness and fitness programs for companies or corporations.

In the meantime, she wants to savor the last few days of her collegiate gymnastics career and finish her senior season with a loud bang. The Otahkians are favored to win Saturday's NIT.

"We have an outstanding chance to win if we stay up and stay positive," she said. "That would be a great way to end my career."

A perfect way, no doubt.