Auburn -- Auburn Gymnastics Academy (AGA) head coach Kristi Ewasko has been hired as an Assistant Coach at Southeast Missouri State University. Ewasko has been with AGA since 2004 and has served as head coach since 2006. She has also been a volunteer assistant coach with the Auburn University Gymnastics team for the last three seasons.

A gymnast since the age of 7, Ewasko has been sucessful at every level of the sport. Originally from Monroe, Lousiana, Kristi was the Louisiana state champion at levels 2, 5, 6, 8 and 10 as well as tghe USAG Region 8 level 9 champion. Competing in college for the Auburn University Tigers (2000-2004) , Ewasko held the AU vault record at 9.95 for four years.

Ewasko began coaching as a freshman in high school and has coached pre-team through the optional levels. Her dream has always been to coach at the NCAA level. Announcing her decision to leave AGA, Ewasko said, "I am very excited about this next phase of my life, but at the same time, I am saddened to be leaving AGA and all that it has become. My dream of becoming a college coach is beginning to make itself a reality."

Ewasko holds an Exercise Science degree from Auburn University.

Southeast Missouri State, located in Cape Girardeau on the banks of the Mississippi River, is a Division 1 athletics program compteting in 16 sports including gymnastics. The Southeast gymnastics team finished the 2008 season ranked 30th in the nation and tops in the Midwest Independent Conference.

The AGA optional team will be coached by Joshlyn Bush and Will Stokley.