Redhawks Finish 2nd at Outback Invitational :: Redhawks record a score of 48.775 on the vault, tied for fifth on the school's all-time charts

Redhawks record a score of 48.775 on the vault, tied for fifth on the school's all-time charts

March 5, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Sunday, March 5, 2006) The Redhawks gymnastics team finished second at their Outback Invitational at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri scoring 191.975, their third highest score of the season, finishing behind 9th-ranked Missouri (195.550) and ahead of Midwest Independent Conference foe Centenary (188.775) and Ball State (187.325). It is the third multi-meet this season the Redhawks have finished second.

On the vault the Redhawks (8-5, 5-2 MIC) recorded a season-high score of 48.775 to finish second behind Missouri (11-8, 0-3 Big 12). The score tied for the fifth-highest score in school history tying the 1995 and 1995 teams. Junior Brystol Powelski (Franklin, Wis./ Salto Gymnastics) had the Redhawks highest finish of the meet with a second-place score of 9.825 which also set a new career-high. Freshman Sandra Blake (Tri-Cities, Wash./Mid-Columbia) finished third with a season-high score of 9.800. Starlyn Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla./First City) also set a new career-high with a score of 9.775 which placed her tied for ninth.

The Redhawks struggled a little on the bars but still managed second with a score of 47.775. Blake was the top finisher with tied for sixth place finish with a score of 9.675. Freshman Maureen Grimaldi (Kansas City, Mo./Eagles) finished tied for eighth with a score of 9.650.

Sophomore Alison Ezell (Kansas City, Kan./ Alpha Omega) led the Redhawks on the beam as she finished eighth with a score of 9.600. Powelski and Schwartz tied for ninth with scores of 9.500.

The Redhawks were led on the floor routine by freshman Chelsea Unold (Plymouth, Minn./Twin City Twisters) who finished tied for fifth with a career-high score of 9.700 as the Redhawks finished third on the floor with a score of 47.925.

Blake finished third in the all-around with a score of 38.525 followed by Ezell, who tied a season-high with a score of 38.350. Powleski finished fifth with a score of 38.300.

The Redhawks will return to action on Friday, March 10 when they travel west to Tucson, Arizona to face host Arizona, Denver and Cal-State Fullerton at 8:00 p.m. central time.