Shortly after her recruiting trip to DeKalb in 2006, Holly Reichard knew she had found the right college gymnastics program for her.

Reichard never questioned her decision, and has since become the first gymnast in the history of NIU to be named MAC gymnast of the year. Reichard has also been named to the All-MAC first team twice.

“It’s been an experience, I feel like I’ve grown up so much since my freshman year,” Reichard said. “I’ve met so many people, it’s taught me a lot of determination and my attitude has changed a lot.”

NIU gymnastics head coach Mark Sontag has seen quite a few gymnasts in his 11 years at NIU, but believes Reichard may be the best.

“I think she is, if not the finest athlete that has ever walked through these doors, definitely one of the best,” Sontag said. “If we can recruit more gymnasts like Holly, we’ll be in good shape going forward.”

As impressive as Reichard’s athletic achievements have been, though, Sontag believes the redshirt senior’s leadership qualities outweigh her athletic ability.

“Her leadership skills have really improved since her freshman season,” Sontag said. “We had some injuries and she brought the team together. She gave the team a pep talk that really helped team moral.”

Teammate and friend, Sarah Hurley believes the always-modest Reichard has been a blessing on the NIU gymnastics program.

“She’s definitely the hardest worker here,” Hurley said. “Out of the gym she’s probably the funniest person I know, and she’s my best friend. Don’t let her fool you with her modesty, she’s been great here.”

While Reichard is two years removed from her MAC Gymnast of the Year honor, the senior is still one of the Huskies’ most consistent performers.

That consistency comes from a solid work ethic. But for Reichard, her hard work started long before her time at NIU.

Since the age of three, Reichard has been in the gym in some form or another. Now that the end of her gymnastics career is on the horizon, Reichard still wants to keep her competitive edge.

“I have to stay in shape, so me and Sarah [Hurley] decided we are going to train for triathlons,” Reichard said.

Just as gymnastics requires round the year workouts, triathlons will keep Hurley and Reichard busy.

“We just are really competitive, so we need something to strive for,” Hurley said. “I thought of doing yoga, but it’s too peaceful. We need something crazy.”

Involved in gymnastics for more than 18 years, Reichard is just hoping her body will be able to keep up with the rigors of triathlons.

“I can feel the old-age setting in,” Reichard said. “I just feel like my body is about at that point, but Triathlons should be fun.”