Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team turns in its top score of season

~ The Redhawks posted a season-high score to win on Senior Day

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team saved its best for last Sunday, turning in a season-best score of 195.025 on Senior Day at the Show Me Center.

Nine Redhawks turned in personal bests in events in the win over Illinois State, which finished at 192.425.

"Today, everything was on," Southeast coach Kristi Ewasko said in a press release. "I told them at the beginning and in between events that if they couldn't do it for themselves, they had to do it for the seniors. I really think this team stepped up today."

The Redhawks turned in their third-best score in school history in the uneven bars with a 49.025 and added season-bests in both the balance beam with a 48.375 and floor exercise with a 49.025. They also scored 48.600 in the vault.

The Redhawks swept the top three spots in both the vault and floor exercise with senior Megan Fosnow leading the way in both events.

Fosnow scored 9.875 in the vault and was followed by freshmen Bailey Walker (9.850) and Ashley Thomas (9.750).

Southeast recorded the top six scores in the floor exercise with Fosnow leading with a 9.875. Senior Kimmie Pickerl and Thomas tied for second at 9.825.

Southeast freshman Alyssa Tucker won the balance beam with a performance that scored 9.875. Redhawks freshman Lauren Israel (9.825) was third.

Illinois State's Jenna Bossle won the uneven bars with a 9.850 score, but the next six spots were occupied by Redhawks. Sophomore Taylor Penzien and Pickerl tied for second at 9.825.

Southeast returns to action March 22 at the Midwest Independent Championships.

"We walk away today with confidence knowing what we are capable of," Ewasko said in the release. "I really think this team will build off this today and go into practice wanting that little bit more as we head into the MICs."