Women's Gymnastics | April 4

Fayetteville, Ark. – Northern Illinois University gymnasts and 2024 MAC Champions Kiera O'Shea and Alyssa Al-Ashari competed at the NCAA Regionals hosted by Arkansas on Thursday.

"I'm super proud of both Kiera and Alyssa," head coach Sam Morreale said. "It's tough to be unattached and without your team. Arkansas was very welcoming, it's fun to ride their energy, but you're still by yourself. I'm super proud of the way they both battled. They both hit their routines and they gave me their best today so I am super proud."

Senior Alyssa Al-Ashar posted a score of 9.700 on bars in her routine. Al-Ashari made her second appearance at the NCAA Regionals after she competed on bars and beam in 2023.

"We've talked all year about just the contribution she gives to this team and the University outside of her actual skill and gymnastics performance," Morreale said. "She's just a quiet leader who teammates can follow. She's a gymnast we're going to miss, she's just been nothing but positive her whole career here with us."

Sophomore Kiera O'Shea scored a 9.825 in her vault in her first NCAA Regionals appearance.

"She did a great job building to [get] here all year," Morreale said. "She makes it look super easy and today she followed one that was probably one of the best vaults I've ever seen. That made it a little hard too, but she did a great job for us as a sophomore. Hopefully, the first of many visits and she can go back to the team and show them that we aren't too far from being here."

Al-Ashari closed out her career with the Huskies on Thursday. Al-Ashari earned three victories on bars and another three on beam in 2024. Her season was capped off with a MAC Championship on beam on March 23. 

O'Shea scored a national qualifying score of 9.885 on vault this season and earned four victories in 2024. She posted a personal record and tied the all-time NIU record with a score of 9.925 in her vault to claim the MAC Championship on March 23.

-- NIU --