Redhawks finish sixth in NCAA regional meet

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Southeast Missouri State women's gymnastics coach Tom Farden knew it would be difficult for his young team to challenge for a high finish in Saturday night's NCAA South Central Regional.

That proved to be an accurate assessment, as the Redhawks finished last among six teams with a score of 189.05 during their first regional appearance as a squad since 1997.

Florida, ranked third nationally, posted a 196.375 to earn its second straight regional title and seventh overall.

No. 18 Arkansas stunned No. 9 UCLA, the defending national champion, for the second national qualifying team position. The host Razorbacks scored a 195.40 and the Bruins finished with a 195.175.

Rounding out the field were Illinois (193.125), Illinois-Chicago (191.125) and Southeast.

The top two teams at each of the six NCAA regional sites advance to the NCAA Championships, set for April 20-22 in Corvallis, Ore.

Despite finishing last, the Redhawks still were one of just 36 squads across the nation to qualify for the NCAA field.

Southeast's top individual scores were turned in by Alison Ezell in all-around (38.075), Sandra Blake on vault (9.8), Maureen Grimaldi on bars (9.6), Ezell on beam (9.550) and Chelsea Unold on floor (9.550). The exact finishes for those Redhawks gymnasts was not available at press time.