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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Totus Tuus Keely

Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist

Totus Tuus Keely is a sophomore mechatronics engineering major at NIU. He began as a photographer in the spring 2024 semester. Outside of his busy class schedule, he enjoys photographing sports and capturing the emotions of fans and players. He was able to travel and photograph the historic football win against No. 5 Notre Dame in 2024. Along with photography, he enjoys performing in the World Music Program and the NIU Pep Band as well as constantly expanding his musical taste.
All content by Totus Tuus Keely
NIU women’s tennis freshman Lucia Yecora quickly returns the ball at the net to win a point during her doubles match against Valparaiso University on Feb. 15. The Huskies came back from losing the doubles point to defeat Western Michigan University by a score of 6-1 on Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies sweep singles for win over Broncos

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 23, 2025
NIU gymnastics freshman Drake White swings towards the low bar during the meet against Illinois State University on Friday. NIU gymnastics lost to ISU for the first time at home since 2013 on Jan. 24. The Huskies wrapped up the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday, finishing sixth out of seven teams. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies take sixth place in MAC Championship

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
March 23, 2025
Redshirt junior pitcher Adam Brouwer (11) winds up to pitch during the first inning of Friday’s series opener against Central Michigan University at Ralph McKenzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park. Brouwer pitched six innings, giving up an earned run and two walks while striking out four batters. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Gregorio’s ninth inning error costs Huskies home opening win

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter
March 21, 2025
NIU women’s tennis freshman Theodora Kousiou crouches down to prepare to return the ball during her match against Valparaiso University sophomore Lillian Kelly on Feb. 14. Kousiou earned one of the Huskies’ 2 points in their 5-2 loss against Ball State University on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies fall to Cardinals in first MAC loss

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 21, 2025
NIU women’s tennis senior Maria Dzemeshkevich rushes the ball at the net during her singles match against Valparaiso University junior Moira Silva on Feb. 15. Assistant Sports Editor Kalin Schaefer breaks down her three takeaways from NIU women’s tennis’ 14-3 start to the season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] SCHAEFER: Three takeaways from women’s tennis’ strong start

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 19, 2025
Scouts for the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns talk amongst each other after watching former linebacker Jaden Dolphin’s 4.78 second 40-yard dash. NFL scouts both ran the drills and watched during NIU’s Pro Day on Monday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: 2025 NFL Draft aspirants show off at Pro Day

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
March 19, 2025
Senior defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley gets into the starting position for the 40-yard dash during NIU’s Pro Day on Wednesday inside the Chessick Practice Center. O’Malley finished the dash in 4.93 seconds, the fastest mark among all participating linemen. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies showcase talents for NFL scouts at Pro Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
March 18, 2025
NIU women’s tennis junior Jenna Horne returns the ball during the Huskies’ match against Lewis University on Feb. 15. The Huskies won their first conference matchup against Eastern Michigan University by a score of 5-2 before sweeping the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies earn first MAC win, sweep Whitewater

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 17, 2025
NIU gymnastics senior Alana Anderson turns during her flip on the high bar as part of her exhibition routine on Jan. 25. against Illinois State University. The Huskies fell to Central Michigan University by a score of 194.400-194.175 on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Kelly takes all-around title, Huskies fall to Central Michigan

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
March 15, 2025
NIU gymnastics freshman Drake White flips into her dismount off the uneven bars during the Huskies’ meet against Illinois State University on Jan. 25. The Huskies defeated Bowling Green State University in their last home meet of the season on Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Gymnastics victorious over Bowling Green in last home meet of season

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
March 10, 2025
NIU baseball then-freshman right fielder Charlie Parcell (44) throws the ball to the infield during the sixth inning against Kent State University on April 19. The Huskies dropped their first conference game in a 15-5 loss to Kent State on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies strand 12, fall to Kent State in 8 innings

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 7, 2025
NIU women’s tennis junior Isabella Righi returns a serve during her doubles match with freshman Lucia Yecora against Lewis University on Feb. 15. The Huskies won a 5-2 team match against the Marquette University Golden Eagles on Wednesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies take midweek matchup with Marquette

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 5, 2025
NIU football players run onto the field ahead of their non-conference game against North Carolina State University on Sept. 28 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. On Wednesday, NIU released its football schedule for the 2025 season, which will be its last in the Mid-American Conference. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] MAC farewell tour: NIU unveils 2025 football schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
March 5, 2025
NIU women’s tennis freshman Irmak Budak returns the ball with an underhand hit during a match against Valparaiso University on Feb. 15. Budak was announced as the Mid-American Conference Singles Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Budak skewers Big Red, earns MAC weekly singles honors

By Northern Star Sports Staff
March 3, 2025
Director Andrew Glendening waves to the NIU Wind Ensemble as he enters stage for the start of their Thursday performance. The next School of Music performance in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall will be the NIU Choral Collage Concert on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: NIU Wind Ensemble honored lives lost with performance

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
March 3, 2025
NIU baseball then-freshman catcher Cooper Cohn (4) beats the throw at first base during a game against Ball State University on May 3. The Huskies completed a series sweep against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville during a doubleheader on Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies complete sweep in first series win

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 3, 2025
NIU gymnastics junior Samantha Nickle flips into the corner during her floor routine against Illinois State University on Jan. 24. The Huskies fell to the Ball State University Cardinals in a head-to-head matchup by a score of 196.900-193.975 on Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies take loss at Ball State

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
March 2, 2025
NIU women’s tennis junior Nataly Ninova backhands a serve during her singles match against Valparaiso University sophomore Jolene Fernandes on Feb. 15. The Huskies swept Bradley University before falling 6-1 against Cornell University on Saturday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies dominate Braves, drop first home match to Cornell

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
March 2, 2025
NIU baseball then-freshman pitcher Ty Brachbill (7) tosses the ball to then-senior first baseman Mason Kelley (25) to record an out at first against Ball State University on April 23. Brachbill recorded 7 strikeouts in an 8-4 win against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Friday, after a 5-4 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Baseball picks up back-to-back wins in doubleheader against Southern Illinois Edwardsville

By Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter
March 2, 2025
NIU gymnastics sophomore Mikayla Brown is congratulated by the NIU Gymnastics team after her floor routine in the Huskies home meet against Illinois State University on Jan. 24. The Huskies competed in the Western Michigan University Tri-Meet on Sunday, falling to Western Michigan while overtaking the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Gymnastics takes second in WMU Tri-Meet, Huskies prevail on vault

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
February 23, 2025
NIU women’s tennis sophomore Sydney Paradise lunges to return the ball against Lewis University on Feb. 15. The Huskies defeated the University of South Dakota by a score of 4-3, before sweeping the University of Sioux Falls on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis wins fifth straight, bests South Dakota and Sioux Falls

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 22, 2025
NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Markel Baker holds Purdue University Boilermaker redshirt junior Dustin Norris from behind in the 133-pound match amid the Huskies 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. Baker earned Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week honors after upsetting the No. 2 ranked 133-pound wrestler in the NCAA on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Baker nabs MAC West Wrestler of the Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff
February 19, 2025
NIU women’s tennis junior Jenna Horne and senior Reagan Welch high five while swapping positions after winning a point against Lewis University. Horne and Welch were named the Mid-American Conference Doubles Team of the Week on Feb. 17. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Horne, Welch net MAC doubles weekly honors

February 18, 2025
NIU women’s tennis senior Maria Dzemeshkevich reaches high to return the ball in a 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) win against Valparaiso University junior Moira Silva. NIU women’s tennis is now 8-2 after wins against Valparaiso University and Lewis University on Saturday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis sparks 3 match win streak against Valparaiso and Lewis

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 16, 2025
NIU gymnastics senior Isabella Sissi flips over the high bar during the meet against Illinois State University on Jan. 14. NIU took second in the SEMO-Tri Meet on Friday with a score of 193.550. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies dominate on vault, O’Shea places first in fifth consecutive meet

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
February 16, 2025
NIU baseball then-redshirt senior pitcher Reagan Klawiter (17) pitches a second strike to a Ball State University batter at Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park on May 3. The Huskies open their 2025 season Friday on the road against Nicholls State University. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU baseball’s new look regime readies for 2025 season

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter
February 11, 2025
NIU women’s tennis junior Jenna Horne prepares to strike a tennis ball over the net at the NIU Huskie Invitational on Nov. 3. The Huskies defeated Western Illinois University Saturday by a score of 7-0. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies conquer Leathernecks, earn sixth sweep

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 9, 2025
Normal West Jazz Orchestra, directed by Ryan Budzinski, stands at the conclusion of their final song during the NIU Jazz Day on Thursday. The Jazz Day featured a performance by the NIU Jazz Orchestra in the Concert Hall at 12:20 p.m. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: NIU hosts annual Jazz Day for high school talent

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
February 7, 2025
Cara Collins, director for the Monona Grove High School Jazz Ensemble II, conducts for the band to decrescendo during a section of “La Noche Del Burrito Picante” by Mike Dana. Myles Franklin-Smith, NIU’s clinician for Monona Grove High School, commented that the band stayed together well for the larger ensemble size but could have increased the tempo for the songs to engage the audience. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Young musicians unite to perform in Jazz Day

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
February 7, 2025
Members of the NIU football team gather in the huddle during the 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU signed four football players on National Signing Day on Wednesday, putting the Huskies’ 2025 recruiting class at 24 signees. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU football adds 4 on National Signing Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
February 6, 2025
NIU women's tennis junior Nataly Ninova returns the ball during her doubles match against Marquette University on Nov. 2 at the Huskie Invitational. On Friday, the Huskies overcame the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee by a score of 4-0 before falling to the University of Wisconsin-Madison by a score of 6-1. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis splits Friday matches

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
February 1, 2025
NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson is declared the winner of his match against Purdue University redshirt sophomore Kade Law amid the Huskies' 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. The Huskies overcame the Cleveland State University Vikings Friday by a score of 29-14. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Wrestling jumps ahead early, holds on to plunder Vikings

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
February 1, 2025
The Avalon String Quartet bow after returning to the stage to perform “String Quintet No. 2 in G Major Op. 77” composed by Antonín Dvořák. The piece was originally composed in 1875 with its first performance a year later. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Avalon String Quartet plays for NIU

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
January 31, 2025
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Blake West picks up Purdue University redshirt senior Matt Ramos and throws him to the mat amid the Huskies’ 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. Sports reporter James Bennett breaks down his three biggest takeaways from NIU wrestling’s season so far. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] BENNETT: Three takeaways from wrestling’s rollercoaster start to the 2024-25 season

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
January 29, 2025
Campus organizations wait to greet students during the Spring Involvement Fair on Thursday. The Duke Ellington Ballroom was filled with tabling organizations on campus and supplied visitors with popcorn and cotton candy as DJ NRG supplied music. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: NIU Spring Involvement Fair

By Totus Tuus Keely and Sofia Howell
January 29, 2025
NIU gymnastics freshman Drake White looks up to the sky after crawling to the corner during her floor routine in the Huskies' meet against Illinois State University Friday at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies lost to Illinois State Tuesday by a score of 193.92-192.950. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Gymnastics falls to ISU despite three first place finishes

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
January 29, 2025
Former NIU football offensive lineman Logan Zchernitz points at the University of Notre Dame's defensive line, directing the rest of the Huskies' offensive line pre-snap on Sept. 7 in South Bend, Indiana. Zschernitz wore a "SAFR" protective cap for NIU this past season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] MILLER: All football players should wear protective caps

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor
January 27, 2025
Christopher Mendez on the Cello is accompanied by Minjung Kim on the piano during his performance of “Sonata no. 1 for cello and piano, Op. 102” composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven. The second movement follows its name closely, “Adagio-Andante-Allegro vivace” increasing in speed but also dynamics until the pattern restarts near the end for a triumphant finish. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Graduate Cello Recital of Christopher Mendez

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
January 27, 2025
NIU women's tennis freshman Lucia Yecora returns the ball with a two-handed swing during her doubles match with junior Jenna Horne against Lewis University on Nov. 13 at the Huskie Invitational. NIU picked up two 7-0 victories Saturday over the University of Northern Iowa and Eastern Illinois University. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis downs Northern Iowa and Eastern Illinois

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
January 25, 2025
NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Markel Baker holds Purdue University redshirt junior Dustin Norris from behind in the 133-pound match amid NIU's 29-8 loss against Purdue Jan. 12 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies overcame Ohio University by a score of 21-20 Saturday in Athens, Ohio. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Lighter weight classes lead comeback as wrestling trumps Bobcats

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
January 25, 2025
NIU gymnastics sophomore Dawsyn Sallee poses after completing her event Friday against Illinois State University at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies fell short of Illinois State by a score of 196.150-192.275 on Friday as NIU hosted it's senior night. (Totus Tuus Keely | Nothern Star)

[Photo] Huskies celebrate their seniors, fall short against Redbirds

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter
January 25, 2025
NIU women's tennis freshman Irmak Budak returns the shot close to the net during the doubles match against Lewis University on Nov 2. NIU women's tennis suffered a 4-3 loss against the University of Missouri Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis suffers narrow loss to Mizzou

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
January 22, 2025
Junior Nataly Ninova prepares for her serve in the doubles match against Marquette University on Nov 3. The Huskies swept both Lindenwood University and Saint Louis University Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Women’s tennis dominates Lindenwood and Saint Louis

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
January 18, 2025
Redshirt sophomore Tommy Curran attempts to break loose from Purdue redshirt sophomore Isaac Ruble on the mat. Curran scored only three points in the 149-pound match, losing by major decision, 14-3. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Wrestling clashes against ranked Purdue

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
January 14, 2025
Junior Jenna Horne lunges and returns the ball during her doubles match against Lewis University. Horne snatched a singles victory over University of Notre Dame freshman Bianca Molnar in three sets Saturday at the Northwestern Invitational. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskies take down Notre Dame and Northwestern in singles

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor
January 13, 2025
NIU football players run onto the field before the Huskies’ 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU will play its final season in the Mid-American Conference in 2025 before joining the Mountain West Conference as a football-only affiliate. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] BREAKING: NIU to join Mountain West as football affiliate in 2026

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
January 7, 2025
Cast members pose on stage after each member was introduced in a large dance performance. The elf began the Holiday Dreams Cirque by walking through the crowd and interacting with audience members before entering the stage and inviting his friends to join him. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Holiday Dreams Cirque lights up Convocation Center

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist
December 9, 2024
NIU football players celebrate and sing the “Huskie Fight Song” after their 24-16 win against Central Michigan University on Nov. 30. NIU will conclude the 2024 season at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23 in Boise, Idaho, facing off Fresno State in a rematch of the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU football to face Fresno State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
December 8, 2024
Redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya wraps around Rider University graduate student McKenzie Bell from behind on Nov. 22 at the Convocation Center. Brya took third place in the 141 lbs. division at the Cougar Clash on Saturday as NIU wrestling took fifth place out of eight teams. (Northern Star File Photo)

[Photo] Wrestling meets mixed results in Cougar Clash

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
December 8, 2024
NIU senior safety Nate Valcarcel (9) assists senior linebacker Jaden Dolphin (26) in a tackle during the 117th Homecoming game against University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Valcarcel and seven other Huskies received all-conference honors from the Mid-American Conference on Thursday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] 8 NIU football players earn All-MAC honors

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter
December 6, 2024
William Martin, assistant professor of biology, asks a question to John Acardo, senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer, Laurie Elish-Piper, executive vice president and provost, and George Middlemist, chief financial officer, during the University Council’s meeting Wednesday. Acardo, Middlemist and Elish-Piper gave a joint presentation about NIU's deficit and mitigation strategies to members of University Council. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

[Photo] University Council holds last meeting of fall 2024 semester Wednesday

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor
December 5, 2024
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