NIU gymnastics faced off against the Western Michigan University Broncos and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks on Sunday afternoon in the WMU Tri-Meet. The Huskies found continued success on vault, with three gymnasts making the podium. Strong performances across all events boosted their total score, but WMU’s floor dominance helped lift the Broncos to first place.
The Huskies (4-10, 1-2 MAC) beat the Warhawks (5-1, 5-1 WIAC) 194.450-193.400. NIU scored 194.450 against WMU, but their newest season-high score wasn’t enough to beat the Broncos’ (5-6, 2-2 MAC) 195.300.
“We’re competing well,” said NIU gymnastics interim head coach Dawnita “Nita” Teague. “I’m kind of saying this every week, but we’re adapting. We’ve had to make some adjustments in line, and we keep hitting. We still are leaving a little on the table, but I’m super proud of the girls and the way they’re competing.”
For her sixth consecutive meet, junior Kiera O’Shea locked down first place on vault with a 9.900 score. She competed all-around, scoring 9.725 on floor and uneven bars and 9.450 on balance beam, respectively.
“It feels the same as any other day,” O’Shea said. “Our last assignment in the gym was to really hone in on those landings for the entire vault line, and I think we did just that today. It was nice to see the transfer from practice into competition.”
Freshman Drake White scored 9.850 in her second-place finish on vault, tying with WMU seniors Cassie St. Clair and Halle Faulkner. She also accomplished high scores in the uneven bars and floor events, scoring 9.700 and 9.400, respectively.
“I’m learning to trust myself more and trust my gymnastics,” White said. “(I) take what I do in practice and apply that to the competition. Knowing that I got it, and not having any doubts, really helps me. I think that’s why I’m starting to improve each meet now.”
Sophomore Dawsyn Sallee tied for third on vault with a score of 9.775, matching Bronco sophomores Hannah Milton and Brooke Gelesko. NIU nearly reached a season-high with a vault score of 49.000. O’Shea described the emotion behind the final event of the meet for her fellow podium-finishers.
“It was exhilarating for the entire team,” she said. “Vault was our last event. We knew what we needed score-wise to get that 194, and we were determined to do it. We just focused and pep-talked each other on what exactly we needed to do. Drake (White) setting us up when she stuck the lead-off was amazing, and she just set the tone for the rest of the line. It was fantastic to see, and I’m so proud of them.”
Senior Ellery Werner executed a second-place finish on the balance beam, scoring 9.775 as the Huskies’ anchor in the event. Werner’s routine helped NIU reach a 47.775 event total. She attributed her performance to the environment her team creates while competing.
“Today felt really good,” Werner said. “The team was moving really smoothly. From girl to girl, we’re building on each other. It was a really fun environment, and placing second is a result of that. It was a good team vibe overall, so I think that helped today, especially with our season-high (score).”
Despite reaching new heights on vault, NIU didn’t make the podium in the uneven bars or floor events.
UP NEXT
The Huskies pay a visit to Ball State University for their third head-to-head MAC matchup of the season at noon Sunday in Muncie, Indiana.
