Southeast Missouri women's gymnastics captured the 2021 USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championship last Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center with a team-score of 195.025.
Trailing Lindenwood by three-quarters of a tenth entering the final rotation, SEMO tied a program-best 49.375 on beam to secure the Championship.
Head coach Ashley Lawson, who was named the Ken Anderson USAG Coach of the Year for the second-straight season, called it magical, as the Redhawks earned their first ever USAG National Championship on their home turf in the first time ever qualifying as a team.
In addition to Lawson’s individual honor, assistant coach Andavea Alexander was selected as the USAG Assistant Coach of the Year, and junior Makenzie Marciniak was awarded the Mari Rae Sopper Spirit Award.
The Redhawks qualified five gymnasts to compete in the Individual Event Finals on Sunday, and all five gymnasts earned medals. Junior Anna Kaziska was crowned the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Champion on beam on Sunday, posting a 9.912. Meanwhile, Alana Fischer, Dahlia Solorzano-Caruso, Jolie Miller, and Michael Sanders also earned individual medals in their respective events for top-five finishes.
In all, the Redhawks earned 18 USAG All-Americans selections, including 17 First Team awards.
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