NIU’s women gymnasts cleaned up Chick Evans Field House during the weekend with a three-match sweep.

The Huskies defeated Western Michigan by a 180.95-178.50 margin Friday night. On Sunday, NIU won the top spot with a 176.10 tally, Ball State grabbed second with a 173.40 score and Wisconsin-Oshkosh placed third tallying a 168.90. The Huskies upped their season record to 6-3.

NIU coach Bobbie Cesarek said she was pleased with her squad’s performance, although she admitted the Huskies did not look as strong during Sunday’s competition. She cited having two meets in three days and entertaining recruits as reasons for the tired gymnasts.

“I can’t complain about coming away with three wins under our circumstances,” Cesarek said Sunday. “The team did well on beam as a whole this weekend.”

One tumbler Cesarek was pleased with was Karen Dunphy. Dunphy put forth a 36.55 all-around mark to win the blue ribbon Sunday. Ball State’s Cari Dubois took second with 36.15. Dunphy’s teammate Julie Wimmers placed third with a 35.5 tally.

“I was pleased with Karen this weekend,” Cesarek said. “She nailed her vaults on both days, and I was really happy for her because she’s been working hard on it.”

The event that gave the Huskies most of their problems was the uneven bars. Cesarek lost freshman Lori Lebo Friday to an accident on the event, making Lebo unable to compete Sunday. Cesarek does expect the gymnast to be back.

“We did a lousy job (on the uneven bars) all weekend. I think we were hexed,” Cesarek said.

Lebo won the all-around competition Friday with her 36.90 tally.