SEMO GYMNASTS SHINE IN VICTORY; OTAHKIANS SCORE 193.950 TO EDGE ILLINOIS-CHICAGO

After drilling the landing on her first vault attempt, Cristie Logan beamed as she strode over to embrace her congratulating teammates.

Similar expressions graced the faces of several Southeast Missouri State University Otahkians on Sunday during the Women's Sports Day gymnastics meet against Illinois-Chicago at Houck Field House.

In a performance much improved over last weekend's home opener, Southeast rolled up a season-high score of 193.950 to nip Illinois-Chicago's 193.575.

"It was an energized meet," Southeast coach Kris Buchheister said.

That verve was lacking in the Otahkians' meet last Saturday at the Show Me Center against a weak Illinois State. Southeast won easily, but its 190.500 score wasn't dazzling.

"We had a greater number of hits (on Sunday)," Buchheister said, "and we improved our scores across the board, especially on vault and floor.

"I told them that the way the meet was going every tenth would count, so I really think they were working on being specific and making every tenth count."

Key to Southeast's refined outing was the emergence of senior Erin Chenier.

Chenier, who suffered an ankle sprain over the Christmas holiday, performed on beam for the first time this season and tied for first with a score of 9.850.

Chenier, the finest gymnast in Southeast history, also tied for first on vault with a 9.850. Chenier's beam and vault scores are both team highs this season. On bars, she tied for fifth with a 9.600.

"It felt so good to do beam again," Chenier said. "Slowly but surely I'm coming back, and hopefully in the next two meets I'll be back on floor and all-around and contributing toward our team score."

Said Buchheister: "Erin looked excellent."

Chenier expressed elation over Southeast's team score, which would have reached 194 if not for a couple falls on bars. The Otahkians' previous season high was 192.750 on Jan. 17.

"That's just wonderful," she said. "If we keep this up, we're going to ... well, we're going to nationals anyway but, if we keep these scores up, we're going for sure."

Southeast junior Malia Roberts tied for first on bars with a season-high 9.850. Roberts also tied with teammate Michelle Walker, a freshman, for second on floor with a 9.875, also a season high. Roberts, who was the meet's only all-around performer, totaled an all-around score of 38.775 despite a 9.350 on beam, the result of a fall.

On vault, Southeast's Stephanie Furman and Logan both tied for third with a 9.750. The Otahkians' Heather Browning placed fourth on bars with a 9.800.

Southeast's Erica Smith tied for fourth on beam with a 9.800, and on floor, Furman placed fifth with a 9.800.

Buchheister made special mention of the performances of sophomore Kathy Smith. Smith placed sixth on floor with a 9.775 and tied for seventh on vault with a 9.700.

The Otahkians' next meet is Friday at Ball State in Muncie, Ind. The next home meet is the Showcase of the Arts meet Feb. 21 at Houck Field House. Southeast will play host to Illinois and Missouri.