Southeast gymnastics finishes season strong

The gymnastics team of Southeast Missouri State University finished its season on a positive note.

The squad won the Midwest Independent Conference Championship on March 22. Coach Kristi Ewasko spoke about how proud of the team she was and what winning meant to the gymnasts.

"I actually knew right away that we had won, but that's not how we tell the team, and so the team didn't find out until the rest of the teams found out, and their faces were priceless," Ewasko said. "There was a lot of smiles, a few tears, and that's when as a coach you realize what they are capable of and what they do, and it's just all about them and the work and the effort they've put into this."

The team did not qualify to move on in the NCAA regional, but two members, Taryn Vanderpool and Alyssa Tucker, qualified individually for the meet to be held Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

This program has been a leader in the classroom. We've editorialized previously on the national success in academics for the Southeast gymnastics program. While winning in school should be the priority, it's also good to see the team excel athletically.

Congratulations to the team on an impressive finish and to Vanderpool and Tucker for moving on to regional competition.