SEMO gymnasts claim three-team meet at Ball St.

The Southeast Missouri state gymnastics team swept the top three places in the bars competition Sunday as they won a three-team meet at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

The sweep in bars, Southeast's final rotation, gave the Redhawks a 190.350 total, which nipped Ball State at 190.325. Illinois-Chicago placed a distant third at 186.550.

Freshman Jordan Salsberg led the Redhawks' season-high 48.025 in the bars with a career-best 9.700. Kelley Krengiel (9.675) placed second and Christina Sundgren (9.650) completed the sweep.

Salsberg also won the vault with a 9.700 and finished second in the all-around. Southeast's Brianna Gaddie (9.650) finished second in the event.

Gaddie also had a second in the floor exercise with a 9.750 as Southeast turned in its highest team score, 48.100, among the four events.

Southeast senior Rikara Turner won her 13th all-around title with a 38.225. Salsberg and Ball State's Brittney Emmons followed at 38.100.

Six first-place finishes

Southeast Missouri State senior Brandon Colbert broke his own school record in the weight throw as the Redhawks claimed six first-place finishes Saturday in the EIU Mega Meet in Charleston, Ill.

Colbert won the weight throw with a toss of 62 feet, 5 3/4 inches.

Southeast junior Josh Uchtman added a victory in the shot put with a throw of 56-10 3/4.

Paul Stemmerman finished first in the mile in 4 minutes, 18.26 seconds, while sophomore Nate Shipley won the 3,000-meter run in 8:47.89.

Ryan Criglar turned in the men's final first-place finish, when he tied for the top distance in the long jump with a leap of 23-4.

Colbert added a second in the shot put (52-4 3/4), while Max Weiser took second in the 1,000 (2:35.37).

Thirds were turned in by Tyler Terry in the long jump (23-3 1/2), Bilal Hameed in the triple jump (46-4 1/4) and Jason Lumpkin in the 3,000 (8:52.07).

Audrey Harwood accounted for the women's lone win, clearing 10-11 3/4 in the pole vault.

Brianna Egbuka finished second in the weight throw (52-4) and Jerika Lewis was a runner-up in the 400 (59.02).

Former Jackson standout Rachel Kahle finished third in the 60 (7.77).

-- From staff reports