Gymnast Amy Ristvedt could feel the pressure as she stood alone in front of the crowded venue.

It was late in the match and all eyes were focused on her. She took a breath, set her form and made a move. Seconds later, Ristvedt realized her performance had finished one pin short of a strike.

But wait. An error in the recording system occurred, giving the gymnast a second chance. With newfound confidence, Ristvedt took full advantage of the second chance and nailed the strike.

No one complained about the controversial mishap though, as there were no coaches, referees or competitors to protest the error.

“I wish I got second chances like this in meets,” the junior said.

Ristvedt made that wish because she wasn’t competing in a gymnastic meet Friday night, but was participating in Bowl for Kids Sake at Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake is an annual event that Big Brothers and Big Sisters around the nation participate in to raise funds for the programs.

“It provides about 80 percent of our budget for our program,” Keri Nelson, the resource council chairperson of Big Brother Big Sisters of DeKalb said. “We’re hoping to raise $100,000 this year.”

NIU athletes tried to do their share for the organization as they raised more than $500.

Trying to find financial support for the fundraisers wasn’t a problem for these athletes since many members of the NIU family were more than willing to help the cause.

“Jim Phillips, our athletic director, helped a lot with our teams,” Christina Nieto of the track and field team said. “And so did the faculty.”

The Phillips family did more than just help fund the event. Jim’s wife Laura was a member of the NIU staff team, better known as the “Alley Cats.”

“I was asked by several members of NIU; in particular, the administrate assistant asked me to join the team,” Phillips said. “We’re big supporters of great organizations that help kids.”

And that seemed to be the theme of the night as yells of “It’s for the kids” could be heard over the constant sound of thunder caused by bowling balls hitting the floor.

The theme was even seen in action when Marie Zidek, defensive specialist for the volleyball team, walked halfway down a lane to help guide a little girl’s ball.

“Get the ball down the lanes and hit the pins,” Zidek said. “It’s for the kids.”

But in the end, the event was also about just having fun. Being able to hang out with teammates on a Friday night, enjoy pizza and pop and talk about random topics provided a setting for NIU athletes to enjoy themselves in and get away from the intense atmosphere of practice.

“It’s just fun being with friends and to come out and have a good time,” Lisa Bailey of the woman’s golf team said. “Practice is serious, this is fun.”

The extent of the fun could be seen as teams high-fived, pounded fists and even chest bumped each other after spares and strikes.

Crazy new nicknames were created during the event for the bowling superstars. Volleyball libero Megan Sprangers earned the nickname of “spinner” as she used an awkward two-hand spinning technique to get her ball to travel down the oiled lanes.

It wouldn’t be a sporting event though unless someone left as a winner. While woman’s golf posted the highest individual score with Abbie Many’s 154, the gymnastics team produced the highest team average with a 112.6 score.