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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

Then NIU freshman pitcher and utility player Danielle Stewart (22) reaches for the ball as then junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) passes it at home plate during NIU Softballs home game against Central Michigan University March 31, 2023. The Huskies were swept by the University of Akron Zips, losing 7-6 in the final game of the series Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU leaves Akron winless, picking up fifth-straight loss

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

NIU softball (7-18, 1-5 MAC) wrapped up its three-game series losing 7-6 to the University of Akron Zips (13-15, 5-1 MAC), marking the Huskies’ fifth-straight loss. Three home runs headlined today’s game as Huskie senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker,...

Redshirt sophomore Adam Brouwer delivers a pitch against Miami University at McKie Field at Hayden Park in Oxford, Ohio. Brouwers seven-inning shutout performance boosted the Huskies to a 1-0 win over the RedHawks on Sunday. (Ellison Neumann | Courtesy of Miami Athletics)

Huskies take down Miami in pitchers duel

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

Behind the best performance of redshirt sophomore pitcher Adam Brouwer’s career, NIU baseball (8-16, 5-4 MAC) snuck past the Miami University RedHawks (9-13, 4-5 MAC) 1-0 Sunday.  Brouwer pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and walking...

NIU gymnastics senior Alyssa Al-Ashari executes a back handspring on the balance beam during the final rotation of Sunday’s MAC dual meet against Kent State University in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, Ohio. Al-Ashari finished tied for first on beam at the MAC Championships Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Al-Ashari, O’Shea crowned MAC champs on beam, vault

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

The past week has been an emotional one for senior Alyssa Al-Ashari. On Tuesday, Al-Ashari and sophomore Kiera O’Shea were named to the All-MAC Second Team. Four days later, they co-championed the conference in their respective events. “It’s...

NIU redshirt sophomore Blake West grapples on the back of Lock Haven freshman Logan Sallot on Feb. 9. West was eliminated in the first round at the 2024 NCAA Championships. (Northern Star File Photo)

West makes earl departure from Nationals

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

After falling short of an at-large bid into the 2023 NCAA Championships, redshirt sophomore Blake West made his Nationals debut in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday. West was eliminated from the tournament after losing both matches in the opening round. West...

Then junior infielder/outfielder Andrew Smart (27) takes a practice swing while on-deck on March 24, 2023. NIU baseball lost its fourth straight game as it lost 7-4 to Miami University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies end MAC series winning streak

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

A shutout performance from the University of Miami RedHawks (9-12, 4-4 MAC) bullpen led Miami to a 7-4 victory over NIU baseball (7-16, 4-4 MAC) Saturday, handing the Huskies their first conference series loss of 2024.  The Huskies opened up MAC play...

Newly acquired Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen speaks at a press conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois on Saturday. Allen was acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Chargers on March 14. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

COLUMN: Grading the Chicago Bears’ offseason moves

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 21, 2024

In the NFL offseason, anything can happen. Good teams get worse and bad teams get better, and so far, the 2024 offseason has been no exception. General manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears have made a handful of moves, but have they been beneficial?  I...

Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker shoots a jump hook over an Eastern Illinois University opponent on Dec. 18, 2023. In her first year as a starter, Stonebraker finished the 2023-24 season as the Huskies leader in points and rebounds. (Northern Star File Photo)

Stonebraker and the patient path to stardom

By Lucas Didier, Assistant Sports Editor | March 21, 2024

A towering presence resides in the paint at the Convocation Center, but the rise of senior forward Brooke Stonebraker didn’t happen overnight. Basketball was a natural fixture in Stonebraker’s life at an early age. Her first position on a team...

Senior outfielder/infielder Parker Shupe throws from the outfield in an NIU baseball game against Louisiana State University. NIU baseball started the 2024 season 7-14, but already look to surpass the total win count of the 2023 season. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)

COLUMN: NIU Baseball poised for a bounce back season

By Zachary Bertram and Joseph Segreti | March 21, 2024

Under first year NIU baseball head coach Ryan Copeland, NIU baseball (7-14, 4-2 MAC) is well on its way to shattering both their conference win total and overall win total from a season ago.  After going 5-24 in conference play in 2023, the Huskies...

Senior pitcher Ryan Linkletter throws a pitch in an NIU baseball game against Lousiana State University. Linkletter gave up four runs on three hits against Illinois State University on Wednesday. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)

Baseball drops midweek shootout against Illinois State

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 20, 2024

NIU baseball (7-14, 4-2 MAC) dropped its matinee slugfest to Illinois State University (10-9) Wednesday by a score of 16-12.  In a game where the Huskies gave up 16 runs, NIU used nine pitchers over eight innings with freshman pitcher Alex Day having...

University of Illinois fifth year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) celebrates with graduate student guard/forward Marcus Domask (3) at the end of the Big Ten Championship game Sunday. Shannon Jr. and Domask are set to lead Illinois against Morehead State University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Northern Star Sports Staff predicts the ‘Final Four’

By Northern Star Sports Staff | March 19, 2024

The time has finally come for the biggest basketball event of the year: NCAA’s March Madness. Just like the Super Bowl, the Northern Star Sports Staff has returned to its prophetic ways to predict the Final Four of this year’s Big Dance. Join us as...

Then-junior gymnast Alyssa Al-Ashari starts her beam routine at the EMU gymnastics meet on Feb. 17. Al-Ashari was named to the All-MAC second team Tuesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Al-Ashari, O’Shea named to All-MAC Second Team

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | March 19, 2024

DeKALB – NIU gymnastics senior Alyssa Al-Ashari and sophomore Kiera O’Shea received All-MAC recognition for 2024 after both were named to the All-MAC Second Team announced by the conference office Tuesday.  “We are super excited for both...

Ethan Gonzales (left) and Lucas Didier sit in the Northern Star conference room during a sports budget. The Northern Star sports section covers NIU athletic events and sports in the Northern Illinois area. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Meet the Northern Star | Sports

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | March 18, 2024

From Football to track and field, the Northern Star sports section digs into what makes a winning story. Want to be a member of the team? Sign up for the sports section to knock one out of the park. Apply here: https://northernstar.info/apply-to-the-northern-star/