NIU women’s gymnastics coach Bobbie Cesarek has every reason to be doing back flips over new recruit Lori Lebo of Fort Meade, Md.

Lebo recently won the first-ever, all-around title at the United States Gymnastics Federation Advanced Optional National Meet in Reno, Nev.

The 4-foot-10 freshman-to-be outpointed more than 150 other competitors as she took first place in floor exercise (9.25), balance beam (9.00) and vault (9.30). She also scored 8.05 on the uneven parallel bars for a 35.60 total.

“I have no doubt she’ll make the adjustment to the collegiate competition and help us out,” Cesarek said. “I look for her and Martha Unger (NIU’s two-time NCAA regional qualifier) to be comparable throughout the season.”

“It was amazing,” Lebo said of her winning performance. “All I could think of was this was a nice way to end my USGF career and get ready to start college.”

Lebo is a three-year letterwinner in gymnastics and has been named Most Valuable Performer each of those three years. A member of the Meade High School Honor Roll, Lebo was a nominee for the school’s Athlete of the Year award.

“Lori is exceptionally talented,” Cesarek said. “In her younger years, she trained as an elite gymnast. She’s doing some things now that some of my kids only dream about. She’s very talented on all four events. She’s an excellent tumbler and vaulter.”

Lebo’s prep honors include being named First Team All-County, First Team All-State and First Team All-Metropolitan as cited by the Washington Post. She owns individual and all-around event records at Meade and at Kellam High School in Virginia, where she spent one year.