Kofmehl, Hamp represent gymnastics at NCAA Seattle Regional

Zohair Khan

Senior Tara Kofmehl performs on beam during a meet on Feb. 14 against Illinois State University at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. Kofmehl finished her most recent performance against Ball State University Friday with 9.625 on beam and 9.875 on floor. (Zohair Khan | Northern Star)

By Noah Silver, Sports Reporter

DeKALB — NIU senior Tara Kofmehl and junior Natalie Hamp closed out the 2022 gymnastics season for the Huskies as they competed Thursday in the NCAA Seattle Regional at American Airlines Arena.

Kofmehl, who qualified on floor exercise, and Hamp, who qualified on uneven parallel bars, joined the Oregon State University squad during the night’s rotations.

Hamp finished the night in 11th place with a 9.875 on bars, while Kofmehl scored a 9.825 on floor to put her in 20th place.

Hamp and Kodmehl had extraordinary seasons for the Huskies, earning first team All Mid-American Conference honors and being named to the 2022 MAC All-Tournament Team. Both gymnasts also won MAC titles in their specialty before qualifying for regionals.

This wasn’t the first time these two found themselves at NCAA Regionals. Last year Hamp scored a 9.900 on floor to tie for fourth, while Kofmehl scored a 9.875 on floor and 39.175 on all around to take seventh place. 

NIU had a solid season as a whole this year, finishing 10-10 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Huskies finished the regular season in third place and took runner up at the MAC Championship on March 19.