Women's Gymnastics | January 10

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University gymnastics team opens the 2026 season on the road at Kent State on Sunday, Jan. 11 with a 12 p.m. start time.

"We love starting the season on the road," head coach Nita Teague said. "It's a great chance for the team to bond and focus on our gymnastics."

The Huskies first two meets will be against conference opponents on the road as NIU travels to Eastern Michigan next Saturday on Jan. 17.

In the Red-Black Dual last month, NIU junior Mikayla Brown (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) and sophomore Drake White (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) were the top two all-around scorers. Brown posted a 38.550, highlighted by a 9.700 on beam while sophomore Drake White scored a 38.050 with a 9.750 on vault.

Three new faces added a spark in the exhibition in junior Ashlie Leage (Poulsbo, Was./North Kitsap) and freshmen Elizabeth Poncin (Tinley Park, Ill./Tinley Park) and Avery Riiff (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East). Poncin's 9.750 on bars was the highest in the dual, just ahead of Leage's 9.700. Riiff's 9.600 on floor tied Brown for the highest score among both squads.

NIU has eight gymnasts in their first year with the team, including seven freshmen.  

"The newcomers on the team have brought a lot of talent and energy to our team," Teague said. "We're prepared and excited to see them perform for the Huskies."

The Huskies had a solid performance on vault in the Red-Black dual, with three gymnasts scoring a 9.750.

Kent State is coming off an impressive season in 2025, winning the regular season Mid-American Conference championship outright with a 6-0 record in the league. The Golden Flashes return four gymnasts that made 2025 All-MAC Second Team.

Last season's matchup between the Huskies and Flashes was a competitive dual with Kent State walking away with a 195.200-193.450 victory.

NIU returns 11 from last season's roster, including three seniors, five juniors and three sophomores.

"We'll be leaning on our veterans' strong leadership to lead and guide our team into this 2026 season," Teague said.

Leage and freshman Deziray Boykin (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) were selected as 2026 Gymnasts to Watch in the MAC the league announced this week. NIU was selected seventh in the MAC preseason poll.

The Huskies will have their home opener on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. vs. Ball State at the Convocation Center.