Unbeaten gymnasts face major challenge in No. 18 Kent State

The Southeast Missouri State women's gymnastics team is off to a flying start.

Coach Tom Farden hopes the Redhawks can remain undefeated today -- but he envisions their stiffest test of the young season.

Southeast will put its perfect record on the line with a 1 p.m. dual meet at Houck Field House against Kent State, which is ranked 18th nationally. It will be the Redhawks' second home competition of the season.

Prior to today's meet, there will be a short banner unveiling in recognition of Southeast's NCAA regional berth last season.

"Kent State is always a very solid team," Farden said. "I'm looking for a really tough meet. They'll be a big challenge for us."

Southeast has won both of its meets so far, including last week's victory in a four-team competition hosted by Illinois State.

The Redhawks started the campaign in rousing fashion on Jan. 13 by winning a three-team home meet that produced their highest opening-meet score under Farden, in his fourth season as Southeast's coach.

Southeast scored 193.700, which resulted in a No. 22 ranking in the GymInfo national poll. The Redhawks are No. 29 this week.

"We had a great meet to open the season, and I thought we also had a good first road meet," said Farden, whose squad scored 191.700 at Illinois State. "This is a very hard working group and we just want to keep improving.

"The season is just beginning, but it's exciting to see what we're doing so far."

Farden said before the season that this freshmen class was the best he's had at Southeast.

While several of the Redhawks' freshmen have been impressive, Rikara Turner has especially stood out by winning the all-around competition in both meets.

Turner is the Midwest Independent Conference gymnast of the week for her performance at Illinois State. She scored a season-high 38.575 in the all-around.

"We've got a lot of excellent freshmen, but she [Turner] is really doing well," Farden said.

Kent State has also won both of its meets, averaging 193.837.

Track athlete honored

Southeast junior John Berry has been named the Ohio Valley Conference male field athlete of the week for his performance at last weekend's Saluki Booster Invitational in Carbondale, Ill.

Berry won the long jump with a NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 24 feet, 7 3/4 inches.

Southeast track teams are competing this weekend at the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington, Ind.