DeKALB — Senior gymnast Ashley Potts is leading the gymnastics team in the 2018 season as the only player who consistently competes in all four events every meet.

Potts was named Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week and an NIU Scholar Athlete Tuesday for her consistent success in and out of the gym.

“I can’t say enough about Potts,” said Head Coach Sam Morreale. “She’s just amazing at what she does. Honestly, she did this stuff last year, it just took her a little longer to get here. She works her butt off every day, so it’s really good to see.”

Q: Gymnastics is a sport based largely on individual effort. In what way do you and your teammates work together and help each other? How does that translate into results at meets?

A: I think it mainly starts in the practices because at practice we’re cheering for each other, and you learn from each other by watching and seeing what they go through, learning from their mistakes and the good things they do, too. It’s mainly what happens in practice that we help each other with. When we go to compete, it’s more just cheering and trying to do the same thing we do at practice.

Q: Your team has a 2-8 record on the season. Do you feel the team is better than the record would reflect?

A: I definitely think that our scores are better than in the past at this time. I think we got unlucky with the wins and losses, but we have had really good meets, and I think we’re continuing to get better. If we keep doing that, I think it will turn the season around.

Q: Most great athletes strive to get better despite their individual accomplishments. Do you have any area of your individual performance you are working to improve, or are you relatively content with how you are performing?

A: Floor is always my lowest score, so I’m trying to improve floor because it’s never really been my best event. With the landings on bars and vault, I’ve been working on sticking those. I want to do that in a meet instead of taking steps [after landing].

Q: As a senior and terrific athlete on this team, have you taken on a leadership and/or mentorship role for this team? If so, can you provide examples of this?

A: I feel like I’m not one that talks a lot or says things, that’s more the other captains. I lead by example. I don’t really get nervous at meets. People ask what I’m doing, and I tell them not to think about it. It’s more about what I’m doing, not what I’m saying.

Q: What goals, if any, have you set for yourself or for the team for the rest of the season?

A: We know we want to make it to regionals. Individually, it would be cool to go back to regionals and try to make nationals because I missed it last year. But I just want to keep doing this and see what I can get out of it.

Q: Can you give me your opinion on Coach Morreale and what special skills he has that influence the team?

A: He’s really laid-back and more relatable to us. He’s definitely more relatable than some coaches and tries to fit in with us. He fits in with our team instead of just telling us we are doing wrong.

Q: Do you have a favorite teammate or teammates? If so, who?

A: Paige Nicholas. We were roommates last year and now neighbors this year. We always get along really well and have the same personality. We like going to TJ Maxx.

Q: What are your plans following graduation?

A: I’m going into real estate and am getting my license right now. I live in Crystal Lake, so I hope to be somewhere around there.