If anyone has reason to be confident it’s Bobbie Cesarek, NIU’s women’s gymnastic coach.

After a week off from competition, NIU (10-0) returns home Saturday for a 1 p.m. dual against Western Michigan which Cesarek feels poses no threat to her squad.

The Western Michigan meet is merely a stepping stone in the Huskies’ preparation for the State of Illinois Classic held at NIU March 2. NIU will host Illinois, Illinois State, and Illinois-Chicago.

With that meet in mind, and a reputation for being one of the nation’s best teams, Cesarek plans on keeping her gymnasts healthy during Saturday’s dual.

“Although it won’t be as easy as say UIC, I don’t anticipate any trouble against Michigan as far as winning or losing goes,” Cesarek said. “So with the end of the season as our main focus right now, it’s important to have some sort of rest period, which is what the next two weeks will be.”

Cesarek said Nicki Pedicini and Sheryl Kurowski will be pulled from some events Saturday to allow “over-the-season” injuries a break from competition.

With WMU holding a 3-7 record, minor shifts in the NIU’s lineup may have little effect on the meet’s outcome.