Imagine how the New York Giants would feel losing Eli Manning in pregame warm ups.

That is how the NIU gymnastics team must have felt, as it was unable to compete with all–arounder Leah Johnson on Sunday’s contest against Ball State. The junior was injured while warming up on the vault before the competition.

Despite the injury, NIU was able to persevere, defeating Ball State 192.400 to 188.625.

The Huskies (2-1 overall, 2-1 MAC) relied on gymnasts Holly Reichard and Jennifer Naughton. Reichard or Naughton placed first in every event. NIU as a team was able to claim the top three places in all four events against Ball State (0-4, 0-3).

“I’m more pleased today than last week because we did it the hard way,” NIU head coach Mark Sontag said. “We stepped up as a team at every position and got the job done. Today, everyone knew that every routine was going to count, and to see them come together and step up like that was really big.”

The ability to step up as a team was apparent, as NIU posted a season–best 48.775 on the floor exercise. Of the Huskies’ five individual gymnasts, the lowest score in the event was a 9.725.

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