MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – The Northern Illinois gymnastics team wrapped up its 2019 regular season Friday at Central Michigan by earning its third 195-plus score of the year in a 196.250-195.275 loss to CMU.
 
The Huskies (12-7, 4-2 MAC) had scores of at least 48.700 across all four events but fell to a Chippewas team that posted a 49.325 on vault on their first event and were able to outscore the Huskies the rest of the way to claim the MAC regular season crown.
 
"All in all I'm super happy with what we did," said NIU Head Coach Sam Morreale.  "I'm happy with how we competed, how we handled the situation [of going for the regular season title]. We had a good day, they just had a better day.  I can't really be unhappy with what we did. Did we leave a little bit out there? Yeah, but it's something we can learn from for next week."
 
NIU started the meet on uneven parallel bars and put up a score of 48.700 on the event, led by Amanda Bartemio who took third with a 9.800, with all five of NIU's counting scores coming in at 9.700 or higher. The Huskies surpassed that on vault, counting five scores of 9.725 or better, topped by a 9.850 by Cinny Lamberti, who took fourth, tying her career best, and the best vault score by NIU this year. NIU's team score of 48.925 on vault was its best on that apparatus this season.
 
On floor, the Huskies again did not count a score below 9.700 with senior specialist Anna Martucci leading the way with a 9.900 to take second in the meet. Juniors Allison Richardson and Bartemio, who both were outstanding in all three of their events on the night, tied for fourth with 9.800 on floor exercise as NIU totaled a 48.950 on floor.
 
Richardson came back to tie for first on balance beam with a career-high 9.850 to lead the Huskies. NIU did not count a miss on the event to finish with its third-highest total of the season after a 48.700 on balance beam. 
 
"We should have some confidence, we've had a really good year, it's been successful and these guys are still striving and working to get better," Morreale said. "Just need to fine tune and go after it next week with some confidence."
 
NIU will also finish on balance beam next week when it plays host to the other six Mid-American Conference teams at the 2019 MAC Gymnastics Championships in the Convocation Center on Saturday, March 23 beginning at 2 p.m.  Tickets for the MAC Championships are on sale now at NIUHuskies.com for $10 for adults and $5 for children.
 
-- NIU --