DeKALB, Ill.  – A school record and league-leading 14 Northern Illinois University student-athletes were named to the 2023 Academic All Mid-American Conference Gymnastics Team Friday.
 
Seniors Natalie Hamp and Brookelyn Sears each earned their third Academic All-MAC honor, while Alyssa Al-Ashari, Kendall George, Olivia Lynd, Ciara Ryan and Isabelle West were named to the team for the second consecutive year. Six sophomores – Alana Anderson, Jenna Blair, Emma Brkljacic, Emmalise Nock, Isabella Sissi and Ellery Werner – along with senior Jacklyn Dolitsky, qualified for the team for the first time.
 
"Their dedication in the classroom and in the gym is unmatched," said NIU head coach Sam Morreale. "I'm super proud of the work they put in. Our team takes a lot of pride in their academics, they strive to do well in each of their chosen fields. They step up and get it done each semester and every group keeps setting the bar higher. [Academic Advisor] Chris Isley in SAASS puts in a lot of work to help everyone stay on track so thanks to him as well.  
 
To qualify for the Academic All-MAC Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the season's competitions.  First-year students and transfers in their first year are not eligible for the award.
 
Every NIU team member who met the eligibility and minimum competitions requirement surpassed the grade point average mark, including the Huskies' three 2023 NCAA Regional qualifiers in Hamp, Al-Ashari and Nock.
 
The Huskies' 14 honorees were three more than any other MAC team. The complete list, including majors and hometowns.
 
NIU 2023 Academic All-MAC Gymnasts (14)
# Alyssa Al-Ashari, Junior, Nursing, 3.90 (Lansing, Mich.)
Alana Anderson, Sophomore, Psychology, 3.73 (Joliet, Ill.)
Jenna Blair, Sophomore, Health Sciences/Pre-Physical Therapy, 3.54 (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Emma Brkljacic, Sophomore, Health Sciences, 3.65 (Tampa, Fla.)
Jacklyn Dolitsky, Senior, Physical Education, 3.93 (Commack, N.Y.)
# Kendall George, Junior, Journalism, 3.97 (Westerville, Ohio)
^ Natalie Hamp, Senior, Kinesiology, 3.99 (Ionia, Mich.)
# Olivia Lynd, Junior, Marketing, 3.97 (West Chester, Ohio)
Emmalise Nock, Sophomore, Chemistry-Biochemistry, 3.23 (Rosemount, Minn.)
# Ciara Ryan, Senior, Business Administration (Master's), 3.93 (Crystal Lake, Ill.)
^ Brookelyn Sears, Senior, Art Studio – Design & Media Arts, 3.68 (Westerville, Ohio)
Isabella Sissi, Sophomore, Marketing, 3.78 (Blaine, Minn.)
Ellery Werner, Sophomore, International Politics, 3.81 (Rhinelander, Wis.)
# Isabelle West, Junior, Health Sciences/Pre-Physical Therapy, 3.96 (Northbrook, Ill.)
 
#2022 Academic All-MAC Team
^2021 and 2022 Academic All-MAC Team
 
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