The women’s gymnastics did not end the regular season in the fashion it would have liked.

The Huskies had been on a run of four consecutive 194 scores, but came up with back-to-back 192s to finish the regular meet schedule.

All that awaits the team as a whole is the MAC Championships.

This is a key event for not only the seniors to go out on a high note, but also for the younger athletes. For the freshmen it will be their first experience in this competition, and for others it will be their first time on certain events.

I think this is an important event, no matter the score, for that development aspect.

The freshmen that have competed this season have already shown a strong ability to contribute in their respective events. To be able to show off their skills and to take in the atmosphere that exists when all the MAC schools come together is a huge learning opportunity.

It is also a venue to showcase the improvement made. The team has shown that it has the potential to score high and put together solid events and meets.

Head coach Sam Morreale’s goal is to build a regional qualifying team, not just one that succeeds in its conference.

The MAC houses two teams that are ranked in the top 25 in the nation this season in Kent State and Central Michigan, sitting 22nd and 24th, respectively.

To put on a good performance and compete against these teams builds the composure to perform in big situations.

The skills come from coaching and from recruiting highly skilled athletes in the first place.

Morreale has shown he can do both, as the freshman brought in this year have come in and made an immediate impact, as well as the upperclassmen showing improvement from season’s past, such as seniors Natalie Sutter and Marisa Liptak.

The MAC Championships will represent one last hurrah for two gymnasts, but also serve as a showcase for what could be in store for NIU.

With nationally ranked programs in the MAC, there is no excuse for NIU not to reach that level.

It just takes time and practice.