Southeast Missouri State's Vanderpool, Tucker qualify for regional gymnastics meet

Southeast Missouri State gymnastics will be represented by two gymnasts at the NCAA South Central Regional.

Senior Taryn Vanderpool and freshman Alyssa Tucker qualified as all-around competitors to the regional competition in Fayettevile, Ark., on April 5.

Vanderpool, who qualifed for the second year in a row, takes a 38.750 regional qualifying score into the regional. She posted a 38.775 at the regional level last season.

Tucker will be making her first trip to regional competition after an impressive freshman campaign that featured a score of 38.650 or better in the all-around at seven meets this season.

Vanderpool has posted four all-around scores at 38.650 or higher, but has missed events since injuring her knee in the Redhawks' meet against Michigan state on March 7.

The top two all-arounders not on an advancing team in the regional receive an automatic bid to the national championships.