DeKALB – NIU junior gymnast Alyssa Al-Ashari was named the Mid-American Conference Specialist of the Week on Wednesday, the second consecutive week that a Huskie has brought home the award. Senior Natalie Hamp earned last week’s honor.

Al-Ashari finished first overall in both the uneven parallel bars and balance beam events in Saturday’s Beauty and the Beast Tri-Meet. Al-Ashari posted a career-high 9.925 on bars and recorded 9.875 on balance beam.

Al-Ashari is the second gymnast in NIU history to tally a career high of 9.925 or better on both uneven parallel bars and balance beam, according to a release from the MAC website.

The Huskies defeated Simpson College and Kent State University on Saturday at the Beauty and the Beast Tri-Meet, recording a cumulative score of 195.375. Al-Ashari led the way for the Huskies and was supported by strong performances from sophomores Isabella Sissi and Emmalise Nock.

NIU will face Ball State University in its next meet at noon Sunday in Muncie, Indiana. The meet will be streamed on ESPN3 and live scores can be accessed via Sidearm Stats.