The SEMO gymnastics team competed against Fisk University and Lindenwood University at the Houck Field House on Friday, Feb. 10.

This meet meant a little more to SEMO’s head gymnastics coach Ashley Lawson than some of their previous meets. Fisk University is the first Historically Black College & University (HBCU) to have an NCAA gymnastics team, and are competing in their first season ever.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Coach Lawson said. “There’s been a lot of work that has gone into adding this program and especially at an HBCU. We are definitely honored that we were a stop on their way in their inaugural season.”

The decision for Fisk to come to SEMO was made at a coach’s convention. Coach Lawson said because Fisk is so close to Cape Girardeau, she extended an invitation for competition. She also mentioned Fisk wanting to join the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).

Fisk University finished the meet in third place with an overall score of 189.175. SEMO and Lindewood finished in first and second place with overall scores of 194.500 and 193.800.

“I’m really excited for them to actually learn together at one time,” Fisk’s head coach Corrinne Tarver said. “We have a lot of freshmen. So they’re learning and figuring it out.”

11 out of Fisk’s 15-woman roster are freshmen. The other four members are all sophomores.

Coach Tarver expressed that gymnastics teams in the HBCU world was something that needed to happen sooner than later.

“It’s about time,” Coach Tarver said. “It needed to happen. You’re starting to see the direction go back towards HBCUs, and you’re starting to see big name coaches and big name athletes who want to be a part of HBCU culture. So it was a perfect time.”

SEMO Freshman Taylor Ingle, who registered a 9.825 on the uneven bars, was thrilled to have Fisk join them and compete in their very first season.

“I love it,” Ingle said. “One of my best friends is on the other team. So just seeing her make history is just something truly incredible.”