The Southeast Missouri State University gymnastics team has spent its offseason upgrading the difficulty of all its routines.

"The difficulty level will give a better impression on the judges and our fans," coach Kristi Ewasko said. "You will see more major releases on bars, some bigger dismounts on bars and just as a program we have set a minimum requirement in order to make the lineup for meets."

The new skills required have pushed the women to become stronger and work harder than what the team has been used to in the past.

"Yes, the routines have become more difficult, but we're getting a lot of numbers and things put together, so I think it is going to work out well for us," senior gymnast Megan Fosnow said.

Five seniors and two sophomores will return to the team this season.

Another thing that is different about the 2014 team compared to previous seasons is that half the team members are freshmen. Southeast has seven freshmen on the team this season who have all been challenged to meet the requirements for more difficult routines.

"For my floor routine I have gained a two and half [rotations], which is backwards, and added another double and then another half, which is new for me," freshman gymnast Alyssa Tucker said.

Ewasko also expressed the importance of the team's strength and conditioning in the offseason.

"I knew it would be hard coming, and it was way harder than I expected but in a good way," freshman gymnast Ashley Thomas said. "I feel like because of the early morning conditioning and workouts, it is easier to perform the skills because I am stronger."

Southeast earned third place at the Midwest Independent Conference Championship last year by posting the 10th best score in school history with a score of 190.050. Taryn Vanderpool, a senior gymnast this season, tied for first at last year's MIC in the uneven bars with a score 9.850. Fosnow won the vault at the MIC with the third best individual score in Southeast history at 9.925.

"I think this year we have a lot more depth in our team, which will help us place better this year at conference," Vanderpool said.

Southeast's strong point last season was the uneven bars, but this season the team has focused on vault and has upped its level of competition.

"This year we have eight vaults starting from 10.0," Vanderpool said.

In past seasons, vaults have started from a nine or eight. This means that the max score a gymnast can receive is a nine or eight. However, the Redhawks have stepped up to the 10.0-level this season, making their vaults much more difficult.

The team's hard work and off-season training will be put to the test and on display Friday.

The Redhawks will have their inner squad meet at Parker Field House starting at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and cheer on the gymnasts as they get their first look at this year's team.

"It is a big deal to see where we are at, and we are competitive, but the same time you want what's best for your team whether you are in that event or not," Thomas said.