SE GYMNASTS EXPECTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NEW COACH AT HELM

Kris Buchheister is a confident coach as she prepares to enter her first season in charge of Southeast Missouri State University's perennially strong women's gymnastics program.

The Otahkians had an impressive run of success under Bill Hopkins, who resigned in June after coaching the program for 18 seasons. Southeast went 388-171-1 under Hopkins, including six Division I regional appearances.

But Buchheister doesn't worry that she won't be able to keep the program going in the right direction. In fact, she said her plans are to take things up a notch or two.

"I think we have great potential. It'll be a matter of moving forward," said Buchheister. "The Southeast gymnastics team has done very well in the past and we want to go even further. I think people will be excited about the fine tuning that we've done in some areas."

Buchheister won't have to wait long to see her new team in competition. The Otahkians open the 1998 season Saturday night on the road against Texas Women's University.

Southeast's first home meet will be Jan. 25 -- Super Bowl Sunday -- when Wisconsin-Oshkosh comes to the Show Me Center for a 1 p.m. start.

"It will be good to have that first meet," said Buchheister, who added with a laugh, "Our first home meet will be early on Super Bowl Sunday, so everybody will still be able to watch all of the game."

Buchheister, 33, was hired as Southeast's coach in August after spending the previous 11 years as an assistant at the University of Missouri. She competed for Missouri from 1983-85.

"I'm excited," said Buchheister of her first head coaching opportunity.

The Otahkians went 24-14 last year in Hopkins' last season as they qualified for the NCAA Midwest Regional and placed second in the NIT of women's gymnastics.

With a host of key returnees back, along with several gymnasts who were injured last year and some promising newcomers, Buchheister sees no reason why the Otahkians can't have another strong season.

"I think, ability wise, we can make the NCAA Regional," she said. "Everybody has been working very hard. We have a lot of nagging injuries we're still dealing with, but we're trying to help the team peak for March and April."

Leading the way for the Otahkians is standout junior Erin Chenier, who has been an all-star since her freshman season and was Southeast's top all-around performer in every meet last year.

"Erin had shoulder surgery in September, but she's coming around well," Buchheister said. "I knew her from regionals a couple of years ago. I was impressed with her then and I continue to be impressed with her."

Other key returnees from last season include seniors Kristin Frohlich, Cristie Logan and Erica Smith, along with sophomores Malia Roberts and Ericka Harrison.

Logan is out indefinitely after having ankle surgery while Harrison was recently released to begin working out after being hampered by a shin stress fracture she suffered last year.

Junior Aaron Craig is back after being hampered by injuries the last two seasons while senior Rebekah Brajcki also returns after having a knee injury last year.

The team's fifth senior, Jennifer Leaman, will be counted on, as will junior transfer Amanda Gdovicak and sophomore Jessica Dunbar, who is coming off shoulder surgery.

Buchheister is also high on the squad's two freshmen, Kathy Smith and Melanie Krehl. Krehl is out with a sprained ankle but should return soon.

"I think we're going to have a lot more depth this year with our all-arounders," said Buchheister. "We have at least 10 people working every event."

Buchheister expects a challenging season opener Saturday against Division II power Texas Women's, which recently lost a close meet to her old Missouri squad.

"They're a very good team," she said. "It's going to be a tough first meet for us."

The Otahkians once again will face an overall challenging schedule, including road meets against Missouri and Illinois.

SEMO Gymnastics

1998 Schedule

(Home meets in capital letters)

Jan. 17 - at Texas Women's, 7 p.m.

Jan. 25 - X-WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH, 1 p.m.

Jan. 31 - at Illinois-Chicago, 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 - Y-TEXAS WOMEN'S, 7 p.m.

Feb. 14 - at Illinois, 7 p.m.

Feb. 22 - at Missouri, 7 p.m.

Feb. 28 - X-BALL STATE, WILLIAM & MARY, 7 p.m.

March 7 - Y-CENTENARY, 7 p.m.

March 9 - Y-ILLINOIS STATE, 7 p.m.

March 16 - at Illinois State, 7 p.m.

March 21 - at Midwest Independent Championships, Normal, Ill., 7:30 p.m.

April 11 - at National Invitational Tournament, Iowa City, Iowa, 6 p.m.

X - Show Me Center

Y - Houck Field House