Women's basketball honored for sportsmanship

Southeast Missouri State is the recipient of the Ohio Valley Conference Team Sportsmanship Award for women's basketball for the 2009-10 season, the league announced Tuesday.

Voted on by the student-athletes and coaches of the respective sports, the team awards are bestowed upon the OVC squads deemed to have best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical behavior as outlined by the OVC and NCAA.

Included in the areas for evaluation are the conduct of student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators and fans.

A young Southeast team struggled on the court this year, going 7-21 and a last-place 4-14 in the OVC. The Redhawks were hampered by injuries to three of their top players.

"We are honored to be recognized by our peers in the OVC for this award," coach John Ishee said in a release. "It's a testament to my staff and most importantly the student-athletes that represent women's basketball at Southeast Missouri State.

"Their commitment, character, will and competitive spirit did not waiver this past season."

The 2009-2010 school year marks the fifth year for the OVC team sportsmanship honors. Southeast has won three previous awards, in softball (2005-2006), women's outdoor track (2006-2007) and men's outdoor track (2008-2009).

Gymnasts make regional

Three Southeast gymnasts have qualified for the NCAA South Central Regional, to be held April 10 in Columbia, Mo.

Freshman Jordan Salsberg and senior Rikara Turner qualified in the all-around. But due to an injury, Turner will not compete. Salsberg finished the season ranked No. 20 in the South Central Region.

"As a freshman, Jordan Salsberg has really battled to make a difference on this team and it is great to have her representing Southeast [at the regional]," Southeast coach Kristi Ewasko said in a release.

Junior Brianna Gaddie qualified to compete on floor and is an alternate on vault. Gaddie is ranked No. 15 on floor in the region. She is No. 32 on vault.

"Brianna Gaddie has been nothing but a rock for this team this year. Her consistency and confidence in her tumbling allows her to give every crowd a fun and entertaining routine," Ewasko said.

Junior Christina Sundgren is a regional alternate on bars. She is ranked No. 35 in the region.

The Redhawks failed to qualify their entire team for the regional despite going 16-5. They ended the season ranked 40th nationally, with the top 36 making the regional field.

"I am proud of this team for the hard work and determination they put into having a great year," Ewasko said.

Terry honored by OVC

Southeast junior Tyler Terry, a Central High School graduate, is the OVC outdoor male field athlete of the week for track and field.

Terry, the two-time OVC indoor long jump champion, won his first long jump title of the outdoor season Saturday at the Alabama Relays. His distance of 24 feet, 1 1/2 inches is the best in the OVC so far this outdoor season and ranks 27th nationally.

Tennis loses on road

The Southeast tennis team suffered a 6-1 loss at Austin Peay on Tuesday.

Southeast fell to 2-13 overall and 1-5 in the OVC. Austin Peay is 10-3 and 3-1.

Sarah Pettigrew notched her first singles win of the season, beating Brittany Hays 6-4, 3-6, 10-8 at No. 6 singles.

The Redhawks host Jacksonville State at 11 a.m. Saturday.

-- From staff reports