The Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Gymhawks soared to new heights in their home opening meet against Illinois State. They set a season-high team score of 193.750. This electrifying performance at Houck Field House showcased the Gymhawks’ immense talent and determination.
The Gymhawks narrowly lost to Illinois State, who scored 194.875. The meet was filled with personal bests and standout performances, especially from Taylor Ingle. Ingle led SEMO with a second-place finish in the all-around.
Let’s dive deeper into the details of this thrilling competition.
Vault: A Strong Start for the Gymhawks
The Gymhawks kicked off the evening on the vault, where they demonstrated their power and precision. Leading the charge was Taylor Ingle, who anchored the lineup with an impressive 9.800 in the sixth spot. This stellar performance helped SEMO achieve a team score of 48.475 in the first rotation.
Notable Performances on Vault
Several Gymhawks delivered noteworthy performances on the vault:
- Sophomore Jordan Napolitano recorded a 9.675 in just her second meet of the season.
- Madison Greene and Joselene Hernandez both scored 9.700s, showcasing their consistency and skill.
- Ailey Kuehn added a solid 9.600 to the team’s total.
Bars: Freshmen Shine Bright
In the second rotation, SEMO turned to the bars, where they continued to impress with a team score of 47.700. Freshman Gracie Jones led the way, setting a career-high 9.775 in the third spot. Her performance was a highlight of the evening and a promising sign for the future of SEMO gymnastics.
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Key Contributions on Bars
Other significant contributions on the bars included:
- Kailyn Hamilton started the rotation with a solid 9.675.
- Sydney Crouch followed with a 9.525, adding valuable points to the team’s score.
- Sophomore Ava Johnston matched Gracie Jones with her own 9.775, setting a new season high.
By the end of the second rotation, the Gymhawks had accumulated a running score of 96.175.
Beam: A Season-High Performance
The third rotation saw the Gymhawks take on the beam, where they turned in their second-highest team score of the night. Senior Nyah Reader set the tone with a season-high 9.775, sparking a series of strong performances from her teammates.
Outstanding Scores on Beam
Highlights from the beam rotation included:
- Ailey Kuehn set a new season-high with a 9.725.
- Leah Parton followed closely with a 9.700.
- Newcomer Jaidan Kossuth achieved her own season-high with a 9.850, surpassing her previous best of 9.775.
After this rotation, the Gymhawks had a running score of 144.950 heading into the final event.
Floor: Finishing Strong
The final rotation on the floor saw the Gymhawks deliver their best team score of the night with a 48.800. Freshman Anna Lee Phillips set the pace with a season-high 9.775 from the first spot, demonstrating her potential and poise under pressure.
Key Performances on Floor
Other standout performances on the floor included:
- Taylor Ingle anchored the lineup with a 9.825, capping off her excellent all-around performance.
- Junior Kailyn Hamilton tied her season best with a 9.775.
- Joselene Hernandez contributed a 9.650 from the second spot.
- Sydney Crouch and Madison Greene delivered back-to-back scores of 9.700 and 9.725, respectively.
The All-Around Competition
In the all-around competition, Taylor Ingle led the Gymhawks with a score of 38.150, finishing second overall. Illinois State’s Mya Robinson won the all-around with a score of 38.575, helping the Redbirds secure the win.
Gymhawks’ All-Around Competitors
The Gymhawks had several athletes compete in the all-around, showcasing their versatility and endurance:
- Taylor Ingle (5′ 6″, Junior, Texas Dream Gymnastics) – 38.150
- Madison Greene (5′ 0″, Senior, Champion Gymnastics)
- Kailyn Hamilton (5′ 4″, Junior, Gold Medal Gymnastics)
- Ava Johnston (5′ 7″, Sophomore, Bull Run Academy of Gymnastics)
- Ailey Kuehn (5′ 3″, Junior, TAGS South Gymnastics)
- Jordan Napolitano (5′ 5″, Sophomore, Apex Athletic)
- Nyah Reader (5′ 0″, Senior, World Class Gymnastics Academy)
- Anna Lee Phillips (5′ 6″, Freshman, Texas Dream Gymnastics)
- Jaidan Kossuth (5′ 0″, Sophomore, USA Youth Fitness Center)
Looking Ahead
The Gymhawks’ performance in their home opener against Illinois State is a promising sign for the rest of the season. Several athletes set personal and season highs. The team has demonstrated their potential to compete at a high level.
Fans can look forward to more exciting meets as the Gymhawks continue to build on their success.
For more details on the Gymhawks’ season and upcoming meets, visit the official SEMO sports website.
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