Women's Gymnastics | March 8

DeKalb, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University gymnastics team will be in action at home for the final time this season on Sunday as the Huskies welcome Mid-American Conference foe Ball State to the NIU Convocation Center on Senior and Alumni Day. The meet begins at 2 p.m. and NIU gymnastics meets are free to attend.

The Huskies will honor seniors Alyssa Al-Ashari, Kendall George, Grace Humphrys, Olivia Lynd and Isabelle West following the meet.

"It's very bittersweet," head coach Sam Morreale said. "We want to cap the career that these ladies have had here. We want them to have a good time and enjoy the environment and experience. There will be a lot of emotion and feelings that surround the meet. I'm excited to see them all get out there one more time at home.

"I'm super proud of all the work these seniors have put in. They came in at a rough time with COVID, so it was a strange time at first. At the same time, I think it made them a tougher class and more disciplined. We wouldn't be where we are without this group."

Isabelle West has been primarily a vaulter in her NIU career. Injuries cut her career short, but she has still led the team in practices.

"Isabelle West had a great first three years and was super competitive in pushing the lineups on vault and bars," Morreale said. "Regretfully, injuries cut her career a little short. She has been a great resource for the younger gymnasts and has all the qualities you want in a team member. We're excited to see what she will do in the future."

Grace Humphrys has seen action on floor and vault for the Huskies.

"Grace is very talented and has always been a hard worker," Morreale said. "She has been in some on floor this year and has contributed over her years. Her perseverance will leave a lasting impact on the team and that's all we can ask for as coaches."

Kendall George has competed on beam 37 times in her career with NIU, including in every meet since 2022.

"Kendall is another athlete who came in and immediately contributed," Morreale said. "She is a beam specialist who has trained super hard after some injuries to get back, so we will reward her with the opportunity to also compete an exhibition routine on floor this week. She will pull teammates aside and help lead when needed. What she has added to this team has been immeasurable so we will be sad to see her go."

Olivia Lynd has competed primarily on beam and floor. After coming to NIU as a walk-on, she has since become a team captain.

"Olivia came in as a walk on," Morreale said. "She's a team captain which she earned as a junior, which is tough for a walk on to achieve. She has great leadership qualities; she knows what she wants the team to be. Her leadership and work ethic will be missed."

Alyssa Al-Ashari, a 2023 NCAA Regional Qualifier on two events, has competed on beam and bars throughout all four of her years with the Huskies.

"Alyssa has always been one of the most talented athletes in the gym," Morreale said. "When we were able to [sign] her, it was an immediate improvement to our program. She was a name that everyone recognized. We knew she had some serious skill and had been to a lot of high-level competitions. The competition level of NCAA gymnastics didn't scare her. Her demeanor has passed on to a lot of her younger teammates. She has been our best bar and beam competitor since she walked into the gym. We have put her on just bars and beam to try to get her through this season and hopefully into the postseason. She is a great leader and her contributions will be missed."

The Huskies have also been led this season by junior all-arounder Isabella Sissi, sophomore Kiera O'Shea and freshman Dawsyn Sallee. O'Shea is the 39^th highest scoring vaulter in the country this season, with a National Qualifying Score of 9.875. O'Shea took home the vault title in last weekend's quad-meet hosted by nationally ranked NC State. Sallee has competed in every NIU meet on vault and floor and her 9.925 on floor in the Huskies last home meet on Feb. 25 paced a record setting floor score by NIU.

NIU holds a record of 8-10-1, and 1-4 in the MAC. The visitors, Ball State are 12-4 with a 3-1 record in the MAC. The Cardinals enter the meet ranked 28th in the country.

After Sunday's meet the Huskies will wrap up the regular season at a quad meet hosted by Minnesota. NIU will then prepare for the MAC Championships, hosted by Ball State on Saturday, March 23.