Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team sweeps individual events in dual loss

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team captured every individual event title during the Redhawks' season opener Friday night.

But Northern Illinois used superior depth to win the dual meet at Houck Field House 190.350 to 190.100.

Southeast coach Kristi Ewasko came away satisfied despite the loss.

"Overall, I'm pleased with tonight," Ewasko said. "Our motto this week was to fight. It may not be perfect, but we needed to fight our way through this meet.

"I'm not as concerned about the scoring for this weekend, but I wanted to make sure the team fought and put together what we're capable of."

Sophomore Megan Fosnow (vault), sophomore Taryn Vanderpool (bars), junior Taylor Westrick (beam) and junior Emma Garrett (floor) all won events, while Vanderpool claimed the all-around with a score of 38.100.

Southeast grabbed a one-point lead in the first rotation after scoring a 47.700 on vault. Fosnow closed the rotation with a 9.725 to claim the individual title. Garrett was second (9.625). The Huskies posted a 46.700 on bars.

The Huskies gained half a point in the second rotation when the Redhawks had to count a fall on bars en route to a 46.800. Vanderpool (9.675) and junior Angela Serafini (9.650) were Southeast's top two performers, with Vanderpool nabbing the crown and Serafini placing third. NIU countered with a 47.300 on vault.

NIU tallied a 48.525 on the floor exercise to grab the lead in the third rotation. Southeast recorded a 47.300 on beam, with Westrick posting a 9.750 for the title.

Southeast closed with a 48.300 on floor in the final rotation. Garrett was first with a 9.850, the highest score recorded by any gymnast in any event in the dual. NIU concluded the evening on beam, scoring a 47.825 to earn the team victory.

Serafini was second all-around for the Redhawks with a score of 37.825.

The Redhawks return to action Saturday with their first road meet at Illinois State.