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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU sophomore gymnast Kiera O’Shea is introduced ahead of the first session of the semifinals round of the NCAA Fayetteville Regional on Thursday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. O’Shea made her NCAA Regional debut Thursday after battling sickness and injuries during her first two years as a college gymnast. (Courtesy of Meaghan Frazier)

Through illness and injury, O’Shea prospers

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | April 4, 2024

Sophomore gymnast Kiera O’Shea was standing in line March 2 at Jeni’s Ice Creams in Raleigh, North Carolina, waiting to place her order – a scoop of chocolate sheet cake and a scoop of salted peanut butter, adorned with a waffle chip. As she...

Redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell passes the ball in an NIU mens basketball home game against the University at Buffalo on Feb. 13. Russell is among seven Huskies that have entered the transfer portal since the end of the 2023-24 season. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Underachieving Huskies wrecked by transfer portal

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | April 4, 2024

Senior guard Keshawn Williams and junior guard David Coit are the newest former Huskies to enter the transfer portal. The Huskies’ two most recent leading scorers join junior guard Zarique Nutter, redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell, sophomore forward...

Junior defensive specialist/libero Jada Cerniglia prepares to serve in an NIU volleyball home game against the University of Akron on Oct. 27, 2023. The MAC announced a new schedule format for conference games on March 27. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

MAC, NIU volleyball announce 2024 conference slate

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | April 3, 2024

DeKALB – For the first time since 2009, NIU volleyball will start and finish MAC play on the road, according to the team’s 2024 conference schedule announced by the MAC on March 27. The release also intrigued a new scheduling format that eliminates...

Then-junior Emily Romancew swings her driver at the Atlantic Invitational in February of 2023. Romancew finished tied for 21st at the Colonel Classic Tuesday as NIU finished 5th out of 15 teams. (Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s golf finishes 5th at Colonel Classic

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 2, 2024

NIU women’s golf wrapped up the Colonel Classic tying for fifth-place out of fifteen teams. Senior Jasmine Ly paved the way, finishing tied for eighth-place.  The Huskies finished the two rounds 27-over par, leaving the tournament with 603 strokes....

University of Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark celebrates with her teammates after defeating Louisiana State University in the Elite 8 on Monday. Opinion Columnist James Bennett believes that womens sports deserve more respect from the general public. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

COLUMN: Women’s sports deserve more respect

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | April 2, 2024

Sports are a huge part of modern popular culture. They serve as entertainment for fans and give the athletes involved something to work for as they aspire to reach new heights. There is, however, a problem within sports culture and how it pertains to...

A graphic shows senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker as the Huskie of the Week. Shumaker broke NIUs stolen base record and went 6-for-10 to lead the Huskies to their first series win of the 2024 season. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Shumaker steals Huskie of the Week honors

By Northern Star Sports Staff | April 1, 2024

After conquering the NIU career stolen bases record, senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker has earned NIU softball’s first Huskie of the Week honor of the season. Shumaker’s 61 steals surpasses Jill Carpenter, who set the record in 2000. The Bellefontaine,...

Junior guard David Coit surveys the court with Ball State junior guard Jaylin Anderson guarding him in an NIU mens basketball game on Feb. 20. Coit and senior guard Keshawn Williams both entered the transfer portal on Monday. (Northern Star File Photo)

David Coit, Keshawn Williams enter transfer portal

By Ethan Gonzales, Sports Editor | April 1, 2024

DeKALB – Junior guard David Coit and senior guard Keshawn Williams have entered a transfer portal, per multiple social media posts. Coit was NIU’s leading scorer for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons and earned All-MAC Third Team honors for both...

Senior third baseman Caitlyn Shumaker (3) rounds first base after hitting a single to left field against Kent State Saturday. Shumaker broke the NIU softball career record of 61 stolen bases. (Northern Star File Photo)

Shumaker swipes NIU’s stolen bases record

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | April 1, 2024

DeKALB – NIU softball’s all-time stolen bases leaderboard has a new name atop its list. Senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker logged the 60th and 61st stolen bases of her NIU career during Saturday’s 5-2 victory over Kent State University to become...

A graphic shows the dates of this week in Huskie sports. NIU baseball is set to play its first home game of the 2024 season after playing 28 games on the road. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Baseball returns to DeKalb this week in Huskie sports

By Northern Star Sports Staff | April 1, 2024

After multiple postponed home games, NIU baseball is finally set to make its home debut Wednesday this week in Huskie sports. BASEBALL Wednesday, April 3 vs. University of Illinois Chicago, 3 p.m. DeKalb / Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice...

NIU sophomore Christopher Norlin celebrates during a doubles match on March 2. Norlin won in singles and doubles as NIU mens tennis defeated University of Illinois Chicago 6-1 Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s tennis thumps UIC, wins fifth straight

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | March 31, 2024

Extending its winning streak to five matches, four of which being in conference play, NIU men’s tennis (16-3, 5-1 MAC) defeated the University of Illinois Chicago (9-8, 1-5 MAC) in a 6-1 victory.  The Huskies swept doubles matches to earn the double’s...

Freshman Morgan Gioia (9) and Lydia Bauer (8) run at the Redbird Tune Up on Feb. 16.  Track & Field took three combined top 10 finishes at the Redbird Challenge and Bobcat Invitational. (Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics)

Calloway highlights track and field’s split squad action

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 31, 2024

Freshman Arianna Calloway’s first place finish highlighted NIU track and field’s split squad action this weekend at the Redbird Challenge and the Bobcat Invitational.  BOBCAT INVITATIONAL The Huskies sent a majority of their top athletes, such...

NIU football players run onto the field of Huskie Stadium before their game against Eastern Michigan University on Oct. 21, 2023. Head coach Thomas Hammock previewed the 2024 regular season at the Pre-Spring Press Conference. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Hammock previews NIU spring football, position competitions

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | March 31, 2024

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock spoke to the media at the NIU Football 2024 Pre-Spring Press Conference. In case you missed it, here are the biggest takeaways from Hammock's 22 minutes at the podium.  EMPHASIS ON SPECIAL TEAMS  Hammock...