Southeast gymnastics squad earns trip to regional meet

For the second time in three years, the Southeast Missouri State women's gymnastics team is headed to the NCAA regionals.

The Redhawks were one of 36 squads across the nation selected after they finished ranked 36th with a regional qualifying score of 194.065.

Southeast will compete in the six-team South Central Regional on April 12 in Norman, Okla.

"We're elated to make it," Southeast coach Tom Farden said. "We just missed out last year, but to make it two of the last three years is a tremendous accomplishment for our student-athletes.

"They are very excited, and we look forward to having a good showing."

Two of the nation's top 10 teams will join the Redhawks in the South Central Regional, led by fourth-ranked Alabama, which has a 196.870 regional qualifying score.

Host Oklahoma is ranked 10th at 196.450, followed by No. 16 Boise State (195.690), No. 19 Arizona State (195.405) and No. 24 Illinois (195.125).

The top two squads from each of the six regionals qualify for the national meet April 24 through 26 in Athens, Ga.

Football opens drills

Southeast football coach Tony Samuel says the focus will be on fundamentals when the Redhawks begin spring practice at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The Redhawks will work out at that time each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with scrimmages at noon every Saturday leading up to the annual spring game at 1 p.m. April 26.

The NCAA allows 15 spring practices, which includes scrimmages and the spring game.

Samuel will be entering his third season at Southeast. The Redhawks went 3-8 in 2007, after a 4-7 record in 2006.

"Our emphasis this spring will be on fundamentals," Samuel said. "Two years ago we were putting in our system, and last spring we had a lot of new players, but this year we will have a veteran squad that can get down to the task of getting better and improving on fundamentals."

Southeast has four quarterbacks on the roster, led by Houston Lillard, who battled injuries as a junior, but threw for 1,350 yards while completing 57.8 percent of his passes.

Competing with Lillard for playing time will be returning sophomores Steve Callanan and Jared Van Slyke, along with junior college transfer Dustin Powell.

"We should have good competition," Samuel said of the quarterback position.

Added Samuel: "Spring practice is an opportunity to jell the talents and personalities of our team. We have 15 practices to improve our fundamentals and come together as a team."

Summers honored

Southeast senior third baseman Michelle Summers was named the Ohio Valley Conference softball player of the week Monday.

Summers batted .588 last week in helping the Redhawks (15-17, 5-6) go 4-1 against two OVC opponents. She hit three home runs, drove in 10 runs and had a 1.176 slugging percentage.

Summers leads the Redhawks with 10 homers, 31 RBIs and 28 runs scored while ranking second with a .413 average. She is Southeast's career and single-season home run leader, while also ranking as the career leader in doubles, RBIs and runs.

Southeast returns to action this weekend with a three-game OVC home series against Tennessee State. There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and 1 p.m. contest Sunday.

-- From staff reports