Everyone has something to prove when a new year begins, and the NIU women’s gymnastics team is no different as it sets out to work its way to the top of the MAC standings.

Unlike last year, this year’s squad has plenty of experience under its belt with five seniors and one junior.

The team is led by senior co-captain Anna Gardina and junior co-captain Keri Saint, as well as sophomore Kristina Campos who is coming off a brilliant freshman season that saw her go all the way to regionals.

“Leadership of the upperclassmen is so critical and we’ve been missing that for a while,” NIU coach Mark Sontag said. “They set the standard for what we do as a team, and they’re the ones who keep everyone flowing. It’s huge for a gymnastics team to have that leadership in the senior ranks.”

One of the bright spots of last year’s 4-15 (0-6) team was the emergence of Campos as a star. After making it to the NCAA regionals, Campos is looking to make a bigger splash this year as she added more difficulty to her routines in hopes of making it to nationals

“I feel a lot more confident this year in my routines, all my skills I’m doing and just the whole competition environment.,” Campos said.

While the Huskies did add two freshmen – Ashlee Williams and Kristin Harrington – they’ll also be getting back a healthy Gardina. Sontag is looking forward to watching her compete at top form.

“I‘m looking for Anna to have a breakout year,” Sontag said. “Last year she was hampered by an ankle injury. She made it to the NCAA Regionals her sophomore year, then she was out most of the season as an all-arounder for us; now she looks better than she did her sophomore year.”

NIU is looking to compete in the MAC along with last year’s conference winner Ball State. The Huskies hope to build off the end of last year in which they consistently put up scores over 189.

To do that, though, a lot of things will have to fall in place – especially staying healthy.

“It’s going to take consistency with what we are already doing right now,” Sontag said. “We’ve upgraded a lot this season. Anna is back at the top of her form. And Kristina and Anna are probably going to push each other real hard for that top all-around score. I think this team could do whatever it wants to do this year.”

The expectations from within are high for this year’s gymnastics team, which means the gymnasts are ready to get out there and show what they can do.

“I’m excited about our team this year,” Saint said. “So far everyone looks awesome and healthy, so everyone is ready to go.”