CMU-NIU Results 

DEKALB, Ill. -- The Northern Illinois University women's gymnastics team posted its best performance of the season in a 195.275-194.675 setback to Central Michigan in an electric atmosphere in Victor E. Court at the Convocation Center Friday night.

"The kids came in with their energy up and ready to go," said NIU head coach Sam Morreale. "The MAC is very competitive and these kids want to show where they stand. I'm proud of the effort they put forth. It's a great score for us. This is the team we want to be moving forward.

"The crowd was electric. It was great. I like being in the bowl in the Convocation Center, but there's something to be said for the energy in Victor E."

In addition to posting a season-high overall score, NIU (1-2, 0-1) posted season bests in all four events led once again by the bars squad. The Huskies scored a season-best 48.975, with Jamyra Carter (Ypsilanti, Mich./Huron) scoring a 9.850 to finish in first place with a pair of Chippewas. Senior Lauren Africano (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) finished in fourth with a 9.825, while senior Natalie Amadio (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) and sophomore Ashley Potts (Oakwood Hills, Ill./Praire Ridge) placed fifth with a 9.800.

While the Huskies' floor team closed out NIU's evening with a meet-high 48.900. Junior Brittany Wenzel (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) won the event with a 9.850, her best score of the year. Freshman Anna Martucci (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) took third with a career-high 9.825.

"They've been working really hard in practice," Morreale said of the floor team. "They've been trying to get better. They've been paying attention to detail. It's nice to see that show in competition. As good as we did, we can still get better."

Andie Van Voorhis (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard) led the charge for NIU's vault team. The Huskie sophomore scored a 9.850 to take second overall. Courtney Dowdell (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) turned in a solid vault, scoring a 9.800, to finish fourth.

The Huskie beam squad, still trying to find its way, scored a 48.025, surpassing the previous season-high of 47.750 set in the season opener at Iowa. Megan Greenfield (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South) was the highest-placing Huskie, taking third with a 9.800.

"Beam is still a work in progress for us," he said. "I still feel it's our best event depth-wise. We just have to get kids comfortable and get them to do what they do in practice in competition."

NIU returns to action Saturday when the Huskies travel to Eastern Michigan. The meet starts at 3 p.m. and is part of a joint gymnastics-wrestling meet between the two schools.

-NIU-