DeKALB, Ill. – As the reigning MAC Champion Northern Illinois University gymnastics team prepares for the beginning of its 2020 season in January, Huskies' head coach Sam Morreale announced the signing of five newcomers to the team for 2020-21.
 
The five additions signed in the early signing period this November are: Olivia Lynd of West Chester, Ohio, Isabelle West of Northbrook, Illinois, Grace Humphrys of Cocoa, Florida, Alyssa Alashari of Lansing, Michigan, and Kendall George of Westerville, Ohio.
 
"This whole group raises our work ethic, skill level and they're going to raise our expectations," Morreale said. "The group that's leaving us [after 2020] is super-talented and competitive, but this group of five is definitely going to come in and make their own mark and help us achieve our goals going forward."
 
Olivia Lynd
West Chester, Ohio (Ursuline Academy)
Perfection Gymnastics School

• Trains at Perfection Gymnastics School
• In the 2019 State Championships, Lynd placed 4th all-around with her personal high of 37.700
• Lynd tied for 2nd on beam and placed 3rd on bars and vault at the 2019 State Championships
• Qualified for the 2019 Region 5 Regional Championships and placed 12th all around

Morreale on Lynd: "Olivia is an athlete that's going to challenge to participate on all four events. Olivia has a great work ethic."
 
Isabelle West
Northbrook, Illinois (Glenbrook North High School)
Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center

• Trains at Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center
• Qualified for the 2018 Region 5 Championships and placed 9th all-around
• Placed 2nd on vault at the 2018 Region 5 Championships
• Qualified for 2018 J.O. Level 10 Nationals and placed 26th with her personal high of 37.550 all- around

Morreale on West: "Super-excited to get Izzy on the team! She's bringing in some skills that we don't currently have, and she's solid on all four events, so we're looking for her to challenge and compete in different places."
 
Grace Humphrys
Cocoa, Florida (Space Coast High School)
ACE Gymnastics

• Trains at ACE Gymnastics
• Placed 8th at the 2019 State Championships
• Placed 7th on bars in the 2019 State Championships
• Qualified for the 2019 Region 8 Championships and placed 18th all around

Morreale on Humphrys: "Grace is a kid who works super-hard on all four events. I can see her playing a role on beam and floor."
 
Alyssa Alashari
Lansing, Michigan (Grand Ledge High School)
Twistars Gymnastics

• Trains at Twistars Gymnastics in Michigan
• Was an elite gymnast for two years and has competed in meets such as the Secret U.S. Classic and P&G Championships
• Made the Level 10 top 100 gymnast list in 2017 and 2018
• Won the 2018 Michigan State Championships in all-around, bars, and floor

Morreale on Alashari: "Alyssa definitely has the opportunity to up our skill level on all four events. She is arguably one of the top five to 10 kids in the nation as recently as two years ago so we're pretty excited."
 
Kendall George
Westerville, Ohio (Westerville Central High School)
Buckeye Gymnastics

• Trains at Buckeye Gymnastics in Ohio
• Has been a Level 10 gymnast since 2015
• Twice qualified for J.O. Level 10 Nationals
• Placed 14th in the 2018 J.O. Level 10 Nationals and 17th in the 2019 J.O. Level 10 Nationals with her personal high of 37.650 all around

Morreale on George: "Kendall's a super-powerful kid but also has some graceful lines to her. She's fun to watch, very talented and very consistent."
 
The Huskies start their 2020 season with fellow MAC school Kent State in Kent, Ohio on January 12. The NIU's first home competition will be January 17 against Western Michigan as part of the Beauty and the Beast meet with NIU Wrestling in the NIU Convocation Center at 7 p.m.
 
-- NIU --