Taryn Vanderpool finally got healthy this year.

It has made all the difference in the world for the Southeast Missouri State junior gymnast.

Vanderpool's impressive season earned her a berth in the all-around for Saturday's NCAA South Central Regional in Norman, Okla. It will be her first regional appearance.

"I'm really excited," she said following a recent practice session. "My goal was to stay in the all-around all season. Making regionals is icing on the cake."

To qualify as an individual for an NCAA regional, a gymnast must rank in the top five in her region in the all-around among competitors not on regional-qualifying teams. Vanderpool ranks second.

Southeast Missouri State’s Taryn Vanderpool competes in the floor exercise during the Redhawks’ 194.225-193.875 win over Texas Woman’s University Pioneers on March 8 at the Houck Field House. Vanderpool won the individual title in the event with a score of 9.850. (ADAM VOGLER)

"Taryn has had a great season and it's definitely an honor she deserves," Southeast coach Kristi Ewasko said. "She'll be a great representative for Southeast. I'm excited for her, and for her to be able to head into her senior year with a regional appearance under her belt is great."

Vanderpool endured a frustrating first two seasons at Southeast as she missed various amounts of time with foot problems.

Much to her delight, the Lenexa, Kan., native has had no such problems this year.

"Being healthy definitely helps. I've had aches and pains but that comes with the sport," Vanderpool said. "I got to compete both [the last two] years too, so it was nice. It did stink halfway through having to stop, but injuries come with the sport."

Vanderpool has scored at least 38.325 in the all-around in 10 of her 11 meets this season. She has broken 39.000 three times and saved her best for last during the Midwest Independent Conference Championships on March 23 in Shreveport, La.

Vanderpool posted a career-high 39.200 to earn first-team all-MIC honors with a second-place finish.

"She has been very consistent on every event," Ewasko said.

Vanderpool came to Southeast as a walk-on, although like many of the Redhawks she was on some form of academic scholarship. She was placed on athletic scholarship following last season -- a decision Ewasko certainly doesn't regret.

"She's stepped up to the plate even more," Ewasko said.

Ewasko said she believed Vanderpool was capable of big things all along -- if she could stay healthy.

Southeast gymnast Taryn Vanderpool has overcome two years of nagging injuries to qualify for the NCAA South Central Regional, which begins Saturday in Norman, Okla. (Below) Vanderpool, a junior who ranks second in the region in the all-around, competes on the balance beam. (ADAM VOGLER)

"It's kind of what we expected from her when we were recruiting her," Ewasko said.

While Vanderpool knows it will be difficult, she hopes to follow in the footsteps of teammate Taylor Westrick by earning a berth in the NCAA Championships.

The top two all-around competitors who are not on an advancing team from each regional will receive a berth in the national meet set for April 19-21 in Los Angeles. Individual event winners not on an advancing squad also qualify.

Last year Westrick became the first Southeast gymnast to qualify for nationals since the program moved up to NCAA Division I in 1992 as she tied for first on beam at the regional meet.

"I have no idea. I guess we'll see," Vanderpool said when asked to assess her chances of making it to nationals. "Taylor is definitely a motivation, somebody I look up to. ... My goal is to just enjoy it. It's such a great opportunity."

Ewasko said she wouldn't rule out Vanderpool Saturday. Even if she doesn't qualify for nationals as an all-arounder, she has a shot to make it in one of the four individual events.

"Bars or beam are an option, and her vaulting [last week in practice] has been some of the best I've seen," Ewasko said. "I definitely wouldn't count her out by any means."

Even if Vanderpool fails to qualify for the national field, the regional experience should provide a strong springboard for her senior campaign.

"It definitely will help to start off the season next year," she said.