Women's Gymnastics | December 19

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University gymnastics completed its annual Red-Black exhibition on Friday night. Team Black pulled off the victory by score of 151.700-150.750.

"We looked very strong on vault today," head coach Nita Teague said. "We had some great performances from our newcomers. Super proud of all of our performances. Still some work to do but a lot of great stuff to work with."

The Huskies standout showing on vault was highlighted by sophomore Audrey Brenner (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac), senior Kiera O'Shea (Norridge, Ill./Ridgewood) and Drake White (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard), who all scored a 9.75.

Senior Jocelyn Harbeck (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was right behind the trio with a 9.70 while senior Samantha Nickle (Yorktown, Va./York) posted a 9.65 and junior Mikayla Brown scored a 9.60 (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge).

On bars, a pair of newcomers led each team in freshman Elizabeth Poncin (Tinley Park, Ill./Tinley Park) for Team Black and junior Ashlie Leage (Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) for Team Red. Poncin scored a meet-best 9.75 and Leage finished with a 9.70.

O'Shea added a 9.70 on beam for Team Red, as did both Brown and sophomore Maria King (Nashville, Tenn./Currey Ingram Academy) for Team Black.

Nickle and junior Dawsyn Sallee (Versailles, Ky./Woodford County High) both finished the dual with a 9.60 on beam.

Another newcomer for the Huskies who showed a strong performance was Avery Riiff (Frankfort, IL/Lincoln Way East), who scored a 9.60 on floor. Brown also capped the exhibition with a 9.60 on floor.

"Mikayla (Brown) had a great meet, going 9.6, 9.65, 9.7 and 9.6 for a 38.5 all-around. Just a great performance," Teague said.

Brown's 38.55 all-around score was the best, White's 38.05.

In total, four freshmen made their NIU debut. The Huskies 2026 regular season begins on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Kent State and the Huskies first home meet is on Saturday, Jan. 24 vs. Ball State. 

Top Individual Scores
Vault: Brenner, O'Shea, White – 9.75
Bars: Poncin – 9.75
Beam: Brown, King, O'Shea – 9.70
Floor: Brown, Riiff – 9.60