Collegiate competition might seem kind of scary and pressurized for some people—but not for NIU’s Lori Lebo.

Lebo, a freshman on the women’s gymnastics team, seems to be fitting right into her niche as a Division I tumbler. And despite being hundreds of miles away from her Fort Meade, Md., home, the east-coast native is happy with her choice in coming to DeKalb.

“I like competing in college. It is different than competing in private clubs,” Lebo said. “This is team competition. If you make a mistake, there is always someone behind you. Altogether it is more of a family.

“I only went home three times last semester, and I haven’t been home this semester. But my mom works for United Airlines, and my parents have come out here to see me perform.”

The 4-10 all-arounder has already made herself known in the NIU gym. Although Lebo has been hampered by a pulled groin, the injury is not severe enough to keep her from posting some top scores.

During the State of Illinois Classic in February Lebo scored a season-best 36.55 tally, giving her a second-place all-around finish. Included in that performance, Lebo posted a 9.45 on vault, which tied her for the top spot in that event.

Lebo’s gymnastics career began nine years ago when her cousin, Michelle Goodwin, a national and world-caliber gymnast, got Lebo interested in tumbling. Once Lebo got her fill of jazz, tap and ballet lessons, Lebo’s parents were told she should enroll in private gymnastics lessons to further improve her talents.

Besides competing in private leagues, the physical education major also competed in high school. She won Most Valuable Performer honors for three straight years, and academically, Lebo was a member of the Meade Senior High Honor Roll.

As her high school career came to a close, Lebo was named First Team All-Anne Arundel County, First Team All-State and First Team All-Metropolitan according to the Washington Post.

“I competed in high school for fun,” Lebo said. “It is beneficial to go through private, because the coaching is better and there is more travel.”

“Lori is exceptionally talented,” Cesarek said. “In her younger years, she trained as an elite gymnast. She’s very talented on all four events.”

Out of all the events Lebo said her favorite is floor exercise and her least favorite event is the uneven bars.

“Tumbling has always come easy for me,” Lebo said. “I’m outgoing and I have a bubbly personality, and I can show myself off.

“I can’t say I hate the bars, but I’ve always had problems. I definitely want to improve on it.”

Lebo and the rest of the Huskies compete at Chick Evans Field House Sunday at 1 p.m. against Southeast Missouri State.