Redhawks gymnasts wrap up regular season with victory at home

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team closed out its regular season in style Friday.

Celebrating senior night with their final home meet of the year, the Redhawks posted a season-high score in beating Iowa 195.125-193.625.

Southeast (14-3) entered the weekend ranked 37th nationally, while Iowa was 28th. The top 36 qualify for NCAA regionals and Friday's score should help the Redhawks' chances.

The Redhawks won three of the four events as they posted their 11th straight win at Houck Field House dating back to the 2008 season.

Notching first-place finishes for Southeast were senior Kelley Krengiel on bars with a career-high 9.825, junior Brianna Gaddie on floor (9.900) and freshman Taylor Westrick on beam (career-high 9.875).

Gaddie also was second on vault (9.800).

Freshman Jordan Salsberg tied for second on bars (9.800) while tying for third on beam (9.725) and vault (9.775). She finished third in the all-around (38.825), matching her career high.

Senior Jena Nguyen was second on beam (season-high 9.775) and sophomore Emily Mann tied for second on bars (9.800).

Junior Christina Sundgren turned in a third-place performance on bars (9.775).

In addition to Krengiel and Nguyen, other Southeast seniors recognized Friday were Rikara Turner, Amber Garlotte, Jacqueline Heath and Bryanna Wong.

Turner, the 2009 Midwest Independent Conference gymnast of the year and the 2007 MIC newcomer of the year, has 16 career all-around titles, including five this season despite being limited in recent weeks by an ankle injury.

The Redhawks return to action Saturday at the MIC meet in Denton, Texas. The NCAA regional is April 10.

Southeast, which went through its regular-season MIC schedule undefeated at 7-0 for the second straight year, is the defending MIC meet champion.