NIU gymnastics posted the second-highest point total of its season, but it wasn’t enough as they lost to Kent State..

The Huskies’ (3-4, 2-2 MAC) score of 193.625 wouldn’t be enough to edge Kent State’s score of 195.525. This match also marked the second of a two-meet road trip in the MAC.

“It was a fun day; we had a bunch of highlights,” said NIU coach Sam Morreale.

While it was hard to match their previous performances, NIU senior Tanya Rachan said their latest score should be a confidence booster, regardless in a losing effort.

“I think it gives us confidence,” Rachan said. “We just have to think about each individual thing on each skill. If we do that, it all comes together.”

Rachan paced the Huskies as the high-scorer with a 9.675, 9.775 and 9.825, on beam, vault and floor respectively.

Along with Rachan, the other seniors were on point, as Ashely Guerra scored 9.650 and 9.800 on beam and bar. Shonda Clore posted 9.650, 9.725 and 9.750 on beam, bar and vault.

Not only did the upperclassmen perform up to snuff, the freshmen also contributed in a big way, led by Kelly Nortz tallying a 9.675 and 9.750 on vault and floor.

“I think the freshmen class is doing awesome,” Rachan said. “They’ve adjusted really well; they go out there and hit their routines.”

Morreale said this meet showed improvement in the team’s landing, but it also featured a few falls.

“It’s something we’ve been stressing all year,” Morreale said. “We’ve shored it up and improved a lot on landings. We did have a couple falls.”

Rachan said the Huskies need to keep pushing to score as high as they can.

“We didn’t have a perfect meet,” Rachan said. “If we can score this high when we didn’t have our best day, that’s looking really good for us when we do have our good days we can score a point or so higher.”