According to head gymnastics coach Bobbie Cesarek, winning is not everything.

However, based on recent performances the NIU women’s gymnastic team is the favorite to clinch yet another win in Saturday’s 1 p.m. triangular at Chick Evans Field House.

Contrary to Cesarek’s belief, winning seems to be all the Huskies are capable of. NIU boasts a 5-0 record which is the result of last weekend’s quadrangular triumph that led to four NIU records.

The Huskies once again play host—this time to the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. With UWO competing at Division III level, U of I is the biggest obstacle.

“Competition-wise I really don’t think we have anything to worry about against Wisconsin,” Cesarek said. “But we tend to go back and forth each year against Iowa so it should be a good meet.”

“Irregardless of competition we’re more worried about concentrating on our own routines and the job at hand,” Cesarek added. “We’ll just let the chips fall as they may.”

NIU has had a shaky week of practice with many of the gymnasts out due to illnesses but Cesarek is hopeful it will not affect their performance Saturday.

“I’m a little scared about the number of people we’ve had sick this week because we haven’t been able to train as well as I’d like us to,” Cesarek said. “We’ve got a tough group of gymnasts that I’m sure will pull it out and take it as it comes by the meet.”

So far, freshman Nickie Pedicini has nothing to worry about. Pedicini was the overall winner in the Mississippi Valley Gymnastic Classic last weekend and looks to be one of the strongest contenders against U of I and UWO.

“(Pedicini) finished seventh in the nation two years ago,” Cesarek said. “I always knew she would be an excellent gymnast for our team and continue to be a strong leader.”