Women's Gymnastics | August 11

DeKALB, Ill. – Despite its competition season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern Illinois University gymnastics team had another successful season in the classroom. The Huskies were named one of the top three academic teams in women's gymnastics according to data compiled by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association released Tuesday.
 
NIU Gymnastics compiled a team grade point average of 3.877 in 2019-20 to rank third among all NCAA women's gymnastics programs, behind only Texas Woman's University (3.888) and Eastern Michigan (3.887). This is the second consecutive year the Huskies are third in the WCGA Team GPA Rankings. The Huskies also had 18 gymnasts honored as WCGA Scholastic All-Americans.
 
"I am beyond proud of this team's dedication to the student side of being a student-athlete," said head coach Sam Morreale. "Last season did not end athletically how they wanted, so they committed to being the best students they could be. It's a great way to turn a negative into a positive. I want to thank not only the student-athletes, but also Chris Ilsley in our academic support (SAASS) area for all his help and guidance."
 
The 18 Huskies that earned 2019-20 WCHA Scholastic All-American honors include 2020 All-MAC selection Mia Lord (McCordsville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern), along with seniors Amanda Bartemio (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata), Lauren Gomes (Dix Hills, N.Y./Commack), Cinny Lamberti (Grayslake, Ill./Grayslake Central), Allison Richardson (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) and Nina Martucci (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes); juniors Catherine Biddle (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central), Zoie Schroeder (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) and Gabby Welch (Greenbrier, Tenn./Aaron Academy); sophomores Nicolette DiPrisco (Aberdeen, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), Morgan Hooper (Lincoln, Neb./St. Pius X), Kelsey Martz (Delphos, Ohio/Delphos St. John's) and Tara Kofmehl (Mesa, Ariz./Red Mountain) and freshmen Gillian Dolitsky (Commack, N.Y./Commack), Jacklyn Dolitsky (Commack, N.Y./Commack), Natalie Hamp (Ionia, Mich./Ionia), Ciara Ryan (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South) and Brookelyn Sears (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville).
 
Student-athletes were required to hold a 3.5 GPA or higher in order to qualify as WCGA Scholastic All-Americans.
 
NIU posted a dual meet record of 5-6 in the 2019-20 season, posting a 3-2 Mid-American Conference record with wins over Kent State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. The Huskies posted the second-highest score in school history against Eastern Michigan on Feb. 7 with a 196.125. The season was cut short on March 12 due to COVID-19, eliminating the opportunity for NIU to defend its 2019 MAC title.  
 
--NIU--