SE GYMNASTS PLACE 3RD IN BACK-TO-BACK MEETS

BOISE, Idaho -- Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team placed third for the second straight night in a four-team meet, but the Otahkians came away more upbeat after Saturday's performance.

With a 194.125 total, Southeast bettered its score Friday at Oregon State by over six points.

"For back-to-back meets, I thought we had a good meet," said Southeast coach Kris Buchheister.

Penn St., ranked fourth nationally, won the meet with a 195.95 total. Boise St. was right behind with 195.95, followed by Southeast and San Jose 191.50

Southeast's top finisher was Malie Roberts, who finished fifth in the floor exercise with a 9.875. The Otahkians other top performers were Christie Logan in vault (7th, 9.725), Melanie Krehl in balance beam (8th, 9.775) and Jessica Bagwill in uneven parallel bars (11th, 9.750).

Erin Chenier placed fourth in the all-around with a 38.975 total.

On Friday, Southeast saw host Oregon St. turn the four-team Shanico Invitational into a personal showcase.

Southeast placed third with 187.575 points, just a tenth of a point behind Michigan State (187.675) but well behind Oregon State, which finished with a 194.625 total. Seattle Pacific University placed fourth with 184.300.

On the way to victory, Oregon State placed first in all four individual events, including the top five finishers in the uneven parallel bars.

Oregon State's Megan Murphy-Barcrof won the all-around with 38.975 and Southeast's Malia Roberts took second (38.025) and Chenier fourth (37.650).

Chenier accounted for Southeast's highest finish in an event, tying for third in the vault (9.725).