NIU gymnastics (1-5) saw three gymnasts make the podium in their second meet of the season Friday night at Eastern Michigan University. The Huskies tallied their first win of the season over Winona State University (2-3), but fell in their MAC matchups against EMU (4-0) and Ball State University (7-2).
“We did a great job of taking a step in the right direction,” said NIU gymnastics interim head coach Dawnita “Nita” Teague. “We just need to come in, let the nerves settle down and start getting into our groove. I don’t think it should take us too long to get to our next goal of 195.”
Senior Ellery Werner claimed first place on the balance beam with a score of 9.850, her current best this season. Her first-place finish contributed to NIU’s 48.300 total in the event. She gave credit to her teammates for their support.
“I feel like it was really great,” Werner said. “I felt more in my groove than in previous meets, so it’s nice to feel that earlier on in the season. It was also really great how supportive the team felt; I think that helped a lot. It’s very exciting and promising for not just myself, but the future of the team this year. I’m feeling very good about it.”
Junior Kiera O’Shea placed second in the vault event with a 9.825 score, improving from her last vault outing by .125. She helped the Huskies reach a score of 48.350 on vault in the second rotation of the meet. Acknowledging the team’s growth from their first meet of the season, O’Shea said the Huskies are moving in the right direction.
“We agree that we have work to do,” O’Shea said. “We’re still finding our fit in the competitions, but I think we had a major improvement. We still want more, and we’re still working for more. We’d like to see 195s in the future, which I totally think this team is capable of.”
Senior Isabella Sissi tied for second place on the uneven bars as one of three gymnasts to score 9.850 in the event. Her appearance along with five other NIU gymnasts gave the Huskies an event total of 48.050.
“The thing I told myself before I went up to compete my bar routine was to do it how I do it in practice,” Sissi said. “Usually when I’m competing or showing at practice, I’m very nonchalant. I was just doing my thing and not trying to put any unnecessary pressure on myself. That’s when I do my best gymnastics.”
No Huskies placed in the floor event despite recording 48.575 overall, their best event score of the night.
UP NEXT
The Huskies return home for the first time this season to celebrate Senior Day against Illinois State University at 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center.