The best head West

Four Southeast Missouri State gymnasts will go up against some of the nation's finest tonight when they compete in the NCAA South Central Regional in Tuscon, Ariz.

Sophomore Sandra Blake, freshman Rikara Turner and freshman Bryanna Wong all qualified for the all-around competition, while freshman Jena Nguyen will participate on the balance beam.

Southeast has never qualified more individuals for a regional, apart from qualifying as a team.

"It's a great accomplishment for these four athletes, and a great reward for an excellent season," Southeast coach Tom Farden said. "They will be facing some of the best gymnasts in the nation, but we're looking forward to seeing how they stack up."

Farden realizes it will be difficult for any of the four to advance to the national meet, set for April 26 through 29 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Only the top two all-around competitors and the event winners (who are not on two of the six teams that advance) qualify for nationals.

"It's going to be really tough," Farden said. "But it's a great experience for them and will only help make them better for next season."

Gymnasts sign

Farden also announced the signing of two gymnasts to letters of intent during the spring signing period that began this week.

Competing for the Redhawks in 2008 will be Lauren Dinan from Doniphan, Neb., and Brianna Gaddie from East Grand Forks, Minn., along with Amanda Schoenbaum from Bentonville, Ark., who plans to join the squad as a walk-on.

Dinan is the younger sister of current Southeast gymnast Jennifer Dinan, while Schoenbaum is a niece of Laurie (Schoenbaum) Chaney, an All-American gymnast at Southeast in the 1980s.

That trio joins three gymnasts Southeast landed during the fall signing period.

"All six are outstanding academically and will play a role on our team with their gymnastics talents," Farden said.