SE's CHENIER QUALIFIES FOR REGIONAL MEET

Erin Chenier, a senior all-arounder on the Southeast Missouri State University gymnastics team, has qualified for the NCAA Region 3 Championships April 10 at the University of Nebraska.

Chenier is one of six individuals to qualify for the regional, along with the top six teams.

Another Southeast gymnast, junior Malia Roberts, also qualified for the regional championships but will be unable to compete because of an injury.

It will be the fourth straight regional appearance for Chenier, who has a seasonal best of 38.975 in the all-around and holds the school record with a 39.525 career best.

The Otahkians were edged out of the sixth and final team spot by the University of Arizona.

"It is a great honor for Erin and Malia to both qualify for NCAA regionals," said Southeast coach Kris Buchheister. "Erin's goal is to reach the NCAA finals and this is the next step along the way.

"Erin has really been coming on strong after recovering from an ankle injury. Unfortunately, Malia's achilles injury will keep her sidelined for the rest of this season, but she should be back in great shape next year."

Buchheister said she was disappointed the team didn't make the regional lineup, but she feels the Otahkians showed improvement this year.

"Erin's injury early in the year and Malia's injury late in the year really hurt our chances to post big scores, but we had a tremendous team effort all year," Buchheister said.