Women's Gymnastics | January 13

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University gymnastics team overcame a rough start on its first event to record its top score of the season, but fell short in its Mid-American Conference opener at Western Michigan, 195.075-193.950.
 
Opening on uneven parallel bars, NIU saw just one gymnast – junior Nina Martucci (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) with a 9.775 – score higher than a 9.700 and were forced to count a score of 8.875.
 
"To go just under 194 as a team with that kind of a start, I'm super proud," said NIU head coach Sam Morreale. "It's a tough MAC loss to get the conference season started, but it's a long season. Obviously having that start on bars, it's uncharacteristic for us and it certainly wasn't the plan, but I loved the fight we showed and how they bounced back. They didn't panic, they didn't get upset and they went out and hit vault, floor and beam."  
 
NIU's floor squad posted a 49.100 to lead the way Sunday with every gymnast scoring a 9.750 or higher, topped by anchor Anna Martucci's (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes)  season-high 9.900.  Marysville, Ohio's (Marysville HS) Allison Richardson (9.800) and Amanda Bartemio (9.850) of Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata HS) also reached the 9.8 mark for the first time this year.
 
"The whole floor squad was probably one of the best runs I've seen," Morreale said.  "All six gymnasts hit routines and landed well, it was impressive.  Anna was lights out on floor again and she stepped in and did a really good job on balance beam too."
 
After the Huskies' beam line-up was altered prior to the meet, Martucci – usually a floor specialist - came through with a 9.700, while sophomore Catherine Biddle (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forrest Hills Central HS) led the Huskies with a career-high 9.825 and Mia Lord (McCordsville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS) went 9.800.  Freshman Nicolette DiPrisco (Aberdeen, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) showed her potential with a 9.800 routine as an exhibition gymnast.
 
"Catherine Biddle did a great routine and after shifting things around, Nicolette DiPrisco came in and scored a 9.8 in an exhibition spot," Morreale said. "We're deep on beam, and that was great to see."
 
NIU's 48.750 on balance beam was also its season high while its 48.500 on vault tied its vault score from the Alabama Quad Meet a week ago.  Each of NIU's last three gymnasts on vault scored a 9.750, including anchor Cinny Lamberti (Grayslake, Ill./Grayslake HS) whose vault impressed Morreale.
 
The Huskies (2-2, 0-1 MAC) open their home schedule on Friday, January 18 with a tri-meet versus Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. The action begins at 6 p.m. in the NIU Convocation Center and on ESPN3 and admission is free.
 
-- NIU --