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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media 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 junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) tosses the ball to the pitcher as Central Michigan University batters switch out on April 2, 2023. Erickson had two hits in a 6-5 loss to Central Michigan Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball can’t capitalize, loses to Central Michigan

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 18, 2024

NIU softball (3-7) fell short against the Central Michigan University Chippewas (1-4) leaving the bases loaded in the sixth and losing 6-5 to finish 1-4 in the South Alabama Tournament. “Every loss matters,” said NIU softball head coach Christina...

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 Softball's home game against Central Michigan University March 31, 2023. Stewart struck out eight batters in a complete game win over University of Alabama at Birmingham Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball splits Day 2 of South Alabama Invitational

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 17, 2024

NIU softball stole nine bases and struck out as many batters en route to splitting the second day of the South Alabama Invitational on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The Huskies (3-6) upended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (3-4) 5-1 in the morning...

Junior guard Laura Nickel (32) dribbles the ball down the court toward her teammates Feb. 14 against Western Michigan University. Nickel recorded a season-high 12 points in Saturday's win over Eastern Michigan University. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball rebounds to take rematch over EMU

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 17, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (12-12, 5-7 MAC) survived a rematch with the Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-17, 2-10 MAC), winning 61-52 three days after a season-low score of 47. The Eagles gave the Huskies a scare with a third-quarter buzzer-beater to take...

Senior Diana Lukyanova prepares for a strike at the Chick Evans Field House. Lukyanova was 3-0 in finished singles and doubles matches Friday against Western Illinois University and Bradley University. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s tennis undefeated against Western Illinois and Bradley

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | February 17, 2024

NIU women’s tennis (5-4) sailed past both Western Illinois University (1-7), 7-0, and Bradley University (2-6), 4-0, without dropping a match.  The Huskies did not lose a match against Western Illinois, but one match went unfinished.  In doubles,...

Senior middle distance runner Julia Finegan runs past an Eastern Illinois University opponent at the Redbird Tune Up on Friday. Finegan brought home two top-five finishes for the Huskies Friday. (Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics)

Track & field takes 3 top spots at the Redbird Tune Up

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 17, 2024

NIU women’s track and field took home 13 top-five finishes, including three first-place finishes in the high jump, 800-meter run and 200-meter dash in the Redbird Tune Up on Friday. The Huskies swept the top-five for the 200-meter dash, with junior...

Freshman gymnast Isabella Ross poses while her teammates cheer for
her completed routine. NIU gymnastics will face Eastern Michigan University Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely |
Northern Star)

‘We got a little payback in us’: Huskies ready for rematch with Eagles

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 15, 2024

DeKALB – Before she blossomed into NIU gymnastics’ bar star and beam queen, senior Alyssa Al-Ashari got her start in the Great Lake State of Michigan. Nearly halfway into her swansong season at NIU, Al-Ashari’s set to compete in her home state...

Former NIU Director of Athletics Cary Groth (left), ESPN Sportscenter Anchor Nicole Briscoe and Dr. Tonya Davis sit on stage at a Women’s Excellence Panel Discussion held Feb. 7 in the south lobby of the Convocation Center. The three panelists discussed prevalent topics revolving around women’s empowerment at the event celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Former Huskies tackle topics in women’s sports

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 15, 2024

DeKALB – Former NIU Director of Athletics Cary Groth regaled a packed audience with her account of the celebration following NIU football’s storied 2003 upset win over the University of Alabama, after which former NIU President John Peters chugged...

Senior Diana Lukyanova prepares to return a shot in an NIU women's tennis home meet. Lukyanova and sophomore Isabella Righi were named the MAC Doubles Team of the Week on Thursday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Lukyanova, Righi named MAC Doubles Team of the Week

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | February 15, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s tennis duo senior Diana Lukyanova and sophomore Isabella Righi were named the MAC Doubles Team of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.  The pair won both of their completed matches over the weekend, defeating...

Senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker prepares for a pitch against Western Illinois University at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic on Friday. Shumaker blasted a walk-off RBI double against Butler University Sunday. (Landon Wirt | Courtesy of UNI Athletics)

Extra-inning walk-off sends softball over Butler

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 12, 2024

An eighth-inning walk-off double by senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker gave softball (2-3) a 6-5 win over Butler University (1-4) before Drake University (4-1) delivered the Huskies a 7-2 loss GAME 1: NIU 6, BUTLER 5 A pitcher’s duel was in full...

NIU gymnasts cheer and head coach Sam Morreale oversees the start of sophomore Kiera O’Shea’s vault routine during Sunday’s dual meet against Kent State University at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, Ohio. O’Shea tied for first place on the event after implementing a Yurchenko full-and-a-half into her anchoring routine. (Cadence Pierce | Kent Stater)

Gymnastics falls to flashy Kent State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 11, 2024

On Sunday, NIU gymnastics sophomore Kiera O’Shea got to showcase a new move on vault: the Yurchenko full-and-half, a move that comes with a start value – or maximum score – of a perfect 10.0. O’Shea took home a 9.875 for her efforts, tying...

Junior gymnast Isabella Sissi poses during her floor exercise routine at NIU gymnastics' and wrestling's Beauty and the Beast meet Friday. Sissi, an all-arounder, finished Friday's quad meet with a total score of 39.100. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gymnastics take second at Beauty and the Beast meet

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 10, 2024

DeKALB – Following a disappointing start to its home meet schedule, NIU gymnastics has begun to find its footing with a runner-up finish at Friday’s Beauty and the Beast Meet at the NIU Convocation Center. NIU (4-6-1, 1-2 MAC) finished second with...

Senior guard Jayden Marable (3) dribbles the ball past Georgia Southern sophomore guard Paris Miller (2). Marable led the team to a victory with a career-high 26 points. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)

Marable dominates as Huskies pick up second-straight win

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 10, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (11-11, 4-6 MAC) overpowered the Georgia Southern University Eagles (13-12, 3-9 SBC) 91-84 in the second part of the MAC-SBC Challenge.  Senior guard Jayden Marable keyed the charge with a career-high 26 points....