April 28, 2010

DEKALB, Ill. -

Natalie Blum (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township HS) has been named to the 2010 Academic All-MAC gymnastics team, the Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday. Blum is the 13th selection to the team from NIU since 2003 as Northern Illinois has been represented on the squad every year.

Blum owns a 3.351 grade point average as a public health administration major in her four years at NIU.

"Natalie has been somebody that has just excelled in all categories for the entire time she has been here at NIU," said head coach Mark Sontag.

Blum won seven individual titles in 2010, including three each on vault and floor, and a top all-around finish against Wisconsin La-Crosse. She accumulated 28 top-five finishes for the 2010 season, 10 on the vault and nine on floor. She recorded individual season bests and team high scores on vault and floor both with a 9.825.

She was also awarded co-Gymnast of the Week by the MAC for her first place performances on vault and floor at the EMU Eagle Invitational. At the team's season-ending banquet, she was named the squad's 2010 MVP by her teammates.

"She has been getting the job done for us out on the competition floor this year and she certainly didn't sacrifice what she was doing in the classroom," Sontag said. "This is very deserved and another great award for Natalie."

Nine other gymnasts from six different schools in the MAC make up the 2010 Academic All-MAC team. A student-athlete must have a 3.20 or higher cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for the current season to be nominated for the Academic All-MAC Team. Students in their first year are not eligible.

-NIU-