Huskies Crown Three in Beauty and The Beast Meet

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University gymnastics team competed in the Beauty and the Beast Meet on February 21st, finishing second to Southeast Missouri State. The meet also served as Senior Night, honoring gymnasts Jocelyn Harbeck, Samantha Nickle, and Kiera O’Shea.

Strong Performances Highlight NIU’s Showing

Southeast Missouri State took first place with a team score of 193.900, while NIU recorded a 191.700. Wilberforce University rounded out the competition with a score of 180.775. Several Huskies delivered standout individual performances throughout the meet.

Individual Achievements Shine

Sophomore Drake White of Indianapolis, Indiana, tied for first place on floor exercise and secured third place on vault. Junior Dawsyn Sallee, competing from Versailles, Kentucky, achieved a first-place finish on vault with a score of 9.825, marking her second consecutive win in the event.

Did You Know? Elizabeth Poncin achieved a career-best score of 9.825 on bars, the highest score on that event for the Huskies this season.

The Huskies also saw success on the uneven bars, where freshmen Elizabeth Poncin, Deziray Boykin, and Avery Riiff swept the event. Junior Mikayla Brown earned second place on balance beam with a score of 9.850, tying her career high.

Rotation Highlights

During the first rotation, Sallee and White led NIU on vault, while sophomore Audrey Brenner consistently delivered, earning a 9.700 – a score she has achieved in five consecutive meets and six of seven overall this season.

In the second rotation, Riiff opened with a 9.700 on bars, setting the stage for Poncin’s career-best performance. Boykin followed with a score of 9.725.

Brown’s performance on beam in the third rotation tied her career high and set a new season best. Boykin continued her momentum, earning a career-best 9.750, and Nickle added a 9.725.

The final rotation saw Sallee open with a 9.700, followed by Harbeck’s score of 9.725 – her fifth straight meet with that score or higher. White secured her second win of the season on floor with a 9.800.

Expert Insight: The consistent scoring of gymnasts like Audrey Brenner and Drake White provides a stable foundation for the team, while the strong performances from freshmen on bars suggest a promising future for the NIU gymnastics program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Beauty and the Beast Meet?

Southeast Missouri State won the meet with a team score of 193.900.

Which NIU gymnast won on floor exercise?

Drake White won on floor exercise with a score of 9.800.

Which NIU gymnasts were honored on Senior Night?

Jocelyn Harbeck, Samantha Nickle, and Kiera O’Shea were recognized for Senior Night.

As the season progresses, will the Huskies be able to build on these individual successes and improve their team score in upcoming competitions?