KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Less than two days after the season opening meet in Tennessee, the Northern Illinois University women's gymnastics team was up on the bars, vault, floor and beam again Sunday afternoon as the Huskies defeated Western Michigan, 194.250-193.775 in Kalamazoo to earn a Mid-American Conference win.
 
"This is definitely who we are," said NIU head coach Sam Morreale as the Huskies improved their team score by 1.150 from Friday night.  "We were still a little rough around the edges, still have things to clean up but I'm so proud of this group.  Double weekends are hard and to have this out of the box is challenging, but maybe a godsend to get out here right away.  We were light years better [than Friday night]. We'll take the improvement; today we saw the team that we see at practice, that's who we were today." 
 
The Huskies (1-2, 1-0 MAC) were consistent across all four events Sunday and did not count a score lower than 9.600 on any event. The beam team once again led the way as NIU closed out the meet with a 48.775 on the event behind senior Zoie Schroeder (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS) who tied for first with a 9.850. Three Huskies – freshmen Kendall George (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central HS) and Olivia Lynd (West Chester, Ohio/Ursuline Academy), and junior Morgan Hooper (Lincoln, Neb./St. Pius X HS) – tied for third with scores of 9.750 on beam as NIU out-scored WMU by .700 on balance beam.
 
"We're never afraid to end on beam," Morreale said. "We know it's a solid event for us, we are well trained and well prepared for the pressure. Even with a new line-up with two freshmen, these kids are good at what they do."  
 
NIU's Natalie Hamp (Ionia, Mich./Ionia HS) won on uneven parallel bars for the second time in as many meets with a score of 9.825, and was followed by fellow sophomore Brookelyn Sears (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville HS), who tied for second with a 9.775 with junior Tara Kofmehl (Mesa, Ariz./Red Mountain HS) fourth at 9.750.  NIU opened the meet with a 48.575 on bars after struggling on the event Friday night.  
 
"We're going to have to get used to Natalie winning bars," Morreale said.  "It's similar to Mia [Lord] on beam – when they do their stuff – they're hard to beat.  Bars is an effortless event for Natalie and that's how you score like she did."
 
Schroeder and Kofmehl led the Huskies on vault as they tied for second with scores of 9.725, contributing to NIU's 48.400 on the event.  Senior Mia Lord (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS) and Kofmehl each scored 9.750 on floor exercise to tie for fourth, leading the way for the NIU floor squad, which totaled a 48.500.
 
Kofmehl scored a career high 38.875 to win the all-around title with a tie for second and two ties for fourth on the day.
 
NIU's first home meet will be Sunday, January 31 in the Convocation Center.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans will not be permitted to attend. However, fans who want to show their support for NIU Gymnastics can be part of the "Huskie Howl" Fan Cutout Program. For $60, purchase a cutout and put a large-sized cardboard cutout of yourself, your family member or even your pet, in the stands at every home meet in 2021.  All proceeds benefit NIU student-athletes through the Huskie Athletic Fund and cutouts can be picked up at the end of the season. To join the "Huskie Howl" and get your fan cutout today, click here.   
 
-- NIU –