Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team opens season with loss at home

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team opened its season with a loss to defending Midwest Independent Conference champion Lindenwood.

The Lions edged out the Redhawks 192.675-191.975 on Friday night at Houck Field House.

Junior Ashley Thomas won the all-around with a score of 38.650 to lead Southeast. Junior all-arounder Alyssa Tucker didn't compete for the Redhawks after breaking her foot at practice on Thursday. Freshman Olivia Vincent suffered a foot/ankle injury during the first rotation and didn't finish out the meet.

"I am really proud of this team," coach Kristi Ewasko said in a press release. "I think they really learned what being a teammate and a family really is. We lost Alyssa Tucker [Thursday] and Olivia Vincent in the first rotation and they could have easily crumbled, but our athletes really stepped up and did their jobs tonight. Even though we didn't get the win, I'm very pleased with how our team handled the obstacles."

Lindenwood held a 48.700-47.725 lead after the first event. The Redhawks started out on vault with sophomore Alexis Brawner posting a team-high 9.625 in the event. The Lions, on the uneven bars to start, were led by defending MIC Gymnast of the Year Valeri Ingui with a 9.800 in the event.

Southeast junior Lauren Israel matched that on the next rotation while Kirstin Sokolowski won the vault with her 9.800, helping extend the Lions' lead to 96.850-96.375 after the second rotation.

Freshman McKinzie Jones' 9.750 on balance beam won her the event, and the Redhawks trailed 144.475-143.475 after three events.

Jones also won the floor title with a 9.825. Southeast posted a 48.500 on the final event but couldn't catch the Lions.

Southeast returns to action at the Ozone Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee on Jan. 16.