Gymnastics falls to Michigan

By Brian Kelley

Despite scoring over a 192 for the third consecutive meet, it wasn’t nearly enough as the visiting NIU gymnastics team was cut down by 11th ranked University of Michigan on Friday.

The Huskies (5-7) lost 196.650 to 192.825 as the Wolverines scored over 49.300 in three of the four events. Michigan’s Jenny Deiley was the gymnast to beat. She racked up an all-around total of 39.550 out of 40.000.

Although they went home with a loss, NIU sophomore Kristina Campos posted a season-high of 9.825 on the balance beam and senior Kristie Woodin scored a 9.775 to pace the Huskies on the vault.

Sophomore Lisanna Goldschen had the best score on the uneven bars with a 9.700. Campos also led the Huskies with an all-around score of 38.775, which was good for fourth overall on the night.

“This was a good meet for us,” NIU coach Mark Sontag said. “To post a score like that in a road meet really helps us out in terms of regional qualifying averages. Michigan just went out the roof, but we hung in there and did really well. Kristina Campos had some great routines tonight.”

Besides going against a top ranked squad, the Huskies also were without a healthy Anna Gardina. Although the senior competed in three of the four scheduled events, she was nursing the flu.

Gardina posted a 9.750 on the vault, but her sickness was evident on the beam and the uneven bars as she had sub-level scores while not competing in the floor exercise.