What happened

Gymnastics (7-2, 3-1 MAC) hit its season-high score, 194.475, Friday before tying the program’s all-time high score, 196.65, Sunday.

Friday, the Huskies finished second — behind the Iowa State Cyclones, 194.95, but ahead of the Yale Bulldogs, 190.75 — at Navy Pier as a part of the IGI Chicago Style Meet.

Sunday, the Huskies beat out the Bowling Green Falcons, 195.2, and the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, 190.925, at the Convocation Center.

How it happened

The Huskies have turned bars, which was one of their weakest events at the beginning of the season, into their strongest event. Friday, NIU scored 48.95, a season-high. Freshman Ashley Potts took second in the event with a 9.825, while junior Lauren Africano placed third with a 9.8. At Sunday’s meet, the Huskies scored 48.975 on bars.

NIU also tied its season-high score on vault with 48.65 Friday before topping that on Sunday with 48.95. Sunday’s vault score is tied for second on NIU’s all-time list. Sophomore Megan Greenfield placed second on vault with 9.85, which is her career best.

The Huskies’ floor exercise, 49.075, Sunday continued their run of strong performances in the event. The top five scorers hit 9.75 or higher. Sophomore Brittany Wenzel was tied for first in the event with the Seawolves’ sophomore Julia York at 9.875. Sophomore Courtney Dowdell finished tied for third with Bowling Green sophomore Lauren Feeley at 9.85.

The Huskies’ final score Sunday, 195.65, was only the seventh time they have scored more than 195 in the program’s history.

Northern Star gymnasts of the weekend

Friday, Potts put together her best meet of the season. Her 9.825 on bars led the Huskies, and she set a high bar for herself on vault as she scored a 9.75 on the first vault of her NIU career. Wrapping up her strong weekend, Potts scored 9.8 on bars, 9.775 on vault and 9.825 on beam Sunday.

Sunday, junior Jaelyn Olsen hit a career high on beam as she scored 9.85 to win the event.