Redhawks open season with impressive victory

~ Southeast posted a 193.700 total in its home win over Centenary and Illinois-Chicago.

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team opened the season in riveting fashion Saturday, posting a winning team score of 193.700 in a three-team meet with Illinois-Chicago and Centenary at Houck Field House.

The Redhawks' score surpassed any score Southeast put up last year, a year in which the Redhawks qualified for the NCAA Regionals. Centenary was second with 188.275 and Illinois-Chicago had a 187.900.

Southeast had the top team score in all four events, with a low-score of 48.050 in the vault. Redhawks freshman Rikara Turner won the all-around competition with a score of 38.525, and teammate Sandra Blake was second with 38.375.

The Redhawks took the top two spots in three of four events. Blake won the vault (9.700) and balance beam (9.850). Maureen Grimaldi won the bars with a 9.725. Taking second were Turner in the vault (9.650), Jacqueline Heath in the bars (9.700), Jena Nguyen in the beam (9.825) and Blake in the floor (9.825).

Southeast will be back in action Friday at Illinois State.