Looking at the poor record of the NIU gymnastics team, one could assume that they are having a horrible season and are not competing. However, that is not the case.

Despite their record, the Huskies (1-6 overall, 1-4 MAC) have made tremendous strides since the season began, and they continue to show signs of improvement.

Throughout the year, they have beaten their previous team-high score three different times. Their most recent high score of 192.875 was posted Feb. 20.

That is 3.8 points higher than their first season high recorded on Jan. 8, 189.075.

They have shown improvement in every one of their events as shown at their last meet. They posted season highs in three out of their four events, failing to record a season high in only the floor event.

The season high scores set in vault, uneven parallel bars, and balance beam are 48.375, 48.475 and 48.325. They were only .3 points away from setting a new high score in the floor event.

Not only is the gymnastics team posting season high’s in their events, but the girls are posting their individual season highs as well.

In their last meet, 19 of the 24 routines performed, resulted in season best scores for the Huskies.

Senior Holly Reichard posted season bests in all five of her events on Sunday against Kent State. Reichard’s score in the all-around competition was 39.025.

Junior Tanya Rachan recorded her season high scores in vault and balance beam with scores of 9.575 and 9.700.

Junior Ashley Guerra also put up her season high scores in both uneven parallel bars and balance beam with scores of 9.775 and 9.700.

Due to the girls’ recent performances and scores, the girls are feeling confident right now. They have seen the results and they believe that they have the talent to be successful.

This seems to be the theme for the gymnastics team though. Every week the girls post new high scores only for them to be broken the next week.

This shows just how hard the girls have been working all year, and how determined they are to improve each week.

During practice they work as hard as they can to perfect their routines and have as few misses as they can, because every tenth of a point counts.

Because of how hard the girls are working and practicing, every week you can expect them to have a new team high score, as well as in individual competition.

Each week they make fewer mistakes and their routines are more precise which earns them a higher score.

If they continue to work hard and improve the way that they have been, they will continue to break their individual season high scores and set team high scores, but they may also begin to win more of their meets.