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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899
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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
 

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Sports

▸ Men's Basketball  |  Women's Basketball  |  Wrestling  |   Gymnastics

 
NIU redshirt junior linebacker Marc Pretto (23) initiates a tackle against redshirt freshman running back Romelo Ware (11) during 11-on-11 drills in NIU’s Spring Showcase on April 26 in DeKalb. Pretto is projected to have a larger role on NIU’s defense in 2025 as the starting weakside linebacker. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Sports
Post-spring NIU football depth chart projection: Who will start on Huskies’ defense?
NIU redshirt sophomore running back Jaylen Poe (28) celebrates with redshirt junior offensive lineman Abiathur Curry (55) after scoring a rushing touchdown during 11-on-11 drills in the team's Spring Showcase on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Curry and Poe are projected to have large roles on the Huskies' offense this season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Sports
Projecting NIU football’s offensive starters after spring ball
NIU baseball senior outfielder CJ Cepicky (39) beats the tag at third with a slide during the Huskies’ game against Akron University on April 18. Assistant Sports Editor Kalin Schaefer breaks down her three greatest takeaways from the Huskies’ 2025 season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Sports
SCHAEFER: Three takeaways from baseball’s turbulent season
NIU women’s tennis junior Nataly Ninova follows through after returning the ball during the Huskies’ match against the University at Buffalo on April 13. The Huskies received an invitation to compete at the Universal Tennis Rating Sports NIT Championship, scheduled to take place from May 7-9 in Rome, Georgia. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Sports
Women’s tennis earns berth to NIT Championship
 

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Huskie sports ...

The All-Star Huskie Sports podcast
All-Star: A Tale of Two Teams
February 11, 2025
A graphic shows the logo for "All-Star: A Huskie Sports Podcast." All-Star is a weekly podcast presented by Northern Star Sports. (Northern Star file photo)
All-Star: Hey Now, You’re a Four Star
February 4, 2025
A graphic shows the logo for "All-Star: A Huskie Sports Podcast." All-Star is a weekly podcast presented by Northern Star Sports. (Northern Star file photo)
All-Star: One skid stops, another keeps rolling
January 24, 2025
 
 
 
Senior defensive end Roy Williams (97) celebrates after receiving a “The Hard Way” recognition for his performance during the 2024 season. Williams enters the upcoming season as one of the most experienced players on NIU’s new-look defense. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Gallery: NIU football hosts Spring Showcase
By Totus Tuus Keely, Assistant Photo Editor | April 29, 2025
The NIU volleyball team huddles at its bench on Nov. 8 at Victor E. Court. Despite strong individual player performances, the Huskies finished 2024 with their lowest win total in program history. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)
BENNETT: Huskie volleyball fangless in 2024 campaign
By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | November 19, 2024
NIU redshirt senior offensive lineman J.J. Lippe (79) signals a first down as redshirt senior offensive lineman Logan Zschernitz (65) faces the huddle during NIU’s season finale against Central Michigan University on Nov. 30 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Lippe and Zschernitz were among four NIU football players signed by NFL teams as undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded Saturday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
4 former Huskies sign UDFA deals with NFL teams, 2 earn minicamp invites
NIU redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) takes a snap during 11-on-11 drills in NIU’s Spring Showcase on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Holst, who started three games in 2024, has been NIU’s presumed starting quarterback during spring practices. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Offense shines at NIU football’s spring showcase
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo leaps and winds up for a serve on Nov. 8 at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball lost its season finale in four sets to Miami University on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)
Huskies routed by RedHawks in season finale
Senior libero Crew Hoffmeier celebrates on Nov. 8 against Bowling Green State University at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball snapped an 11-game losing streak with a win over Miami University on Friday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)
Huskies clip RedHawks wings in 3 sets
 

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NIU men's soccer sophomore goalkeeper Atahan Arslan (1) catches a corner kick from Drake University on Nov. 1 in NIU's 3-2 loss against Drake. The Huskies finished the 2024 season at the bottom of the Missouri Valley Conference standings, ending with a 1-6-1 record within the MVC. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
SCHAEFER: Men’s soccer wraps up disappointing 2024 season
By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor | November 12, 2024
NIU women's basketball graduate student guard Chelby Koker directs the Huskies' offense after reaching the top of the key on Wednesday at the Convocation Center during NIU's final home game of the season against the University of Toledo. Despite NIU falling to Toledo by a score of 79-70, Koker finished with a game-leading 24 points. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)
Women’s basketball falls to Toledo in final home game
By Edison Miller, Editor in Chief | March 5, 2025
Senior forward Zachariah Thomas (7) shoots the ball between defenders on Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Thomas scored a goal in the 63rd minute on Wednesday as NIU men's soccer tied Bradley University in the season finale. (Northern Star File Photo)
Men’s soccer ties Bradley in final match
Sophomore defender Ethan Wilson (5) passes the ball on Friday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer was eliminated from playoff contention with a 3-2 loss to Drake University on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Men’s soccer ends playoff hopes after loss to Drake
Sophomore forward Tyra King (5) pushes towards the goal on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU women's soccer lost 1-0 to Western Michigan University on Thursday, ending the Huskies' 2024 season without an appearance in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. (Northern Star File Photo)
Women’s soccer narrowly misses out on MAC Tournament
Graduate student midfielder Abby Zipse (15) jumps in celebration after scoring a goal from her corner kick with four minutes remaining on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU women's soccer tied 1-1 against the University of Toledo Rockets for the Huskies' final home game of the season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Women’s soccer ties Toledo in final home match
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NIU men's golf senior Felix Krammer tracks his golf ball as it falls into Hole 4 during the first round of the Kishwaukee Collegiate on April 5 at the Kishwaukee Country Club in DeKalb. Krammer finished in sixth place in his final collegiate tournament on Tuesday, leading NIU to a fourth-place finish at the Mid-American Conference Championship. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
NIU golf tees off against conference foes, narrowly misses podium
By Edison Miller, Editor in Chief | April 29, 2025
Women’s golf claims 4th at MAC Championship
Women’s golf claims 4th at MAC Championship
By Matt Agnew, Sports Reporter | April 22, 2025
NIU men's golf freshman Beau Petersen eyes down his shot on April 5 at the Kishwaukee Country Club in DeKalb. The Huskies finished in seventh place after competing in the Hawkeye Invitational, which wrapped up on Monday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Men’s golf finishes 7th at Hawkeye Invitational
NIU men's golf senior Ben Sluzas crouches, eyeing down his golf ball after a chip shot on Saturday at the Kishwaukee Country Club in DeKalb. Sports Editor Edison Miller breaks down his three greatest takeaways from the men's golf spring season so far. (Northern Star File Photo)
MILLER: 3 takeaways from the men’s golf spring season
NIU women's golf graduate student Emma Thorman prepares to put at a tournament in the fall. The Huskies competed at the Boilermaker Spring Classic, which wrapped up on Monday, and finished ninth out of 16 teams. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Women’s golf finishes ninth at Boilermaker Spring Classic
NIU women’s golf freshman Alex Ouellet finishes her follow through, staring down her drive at an invitational in the fall. Ouellet earned Mid-American Conference Golfer of the Week honors after leading the Huskies at the Bowling Green State University Women's Intercollegiate with a third place finish on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Ouellet snatches MAC Golfer of the Week
NIU cross country senior Olivia Southby runs right behind McKendree sophomore Lydia Trump. The Huskies finished in 12th place at the Mid-American Conference championship on Saturday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Huskies finish 12th at MAC Championship
By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 3, 2024
NIU track and field then-senior Malia Watkins makes a turn on the track during the Cyclone Open last January. The Huskies had seven athletes place within the top-three at the Normal Invite on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Track and field produces multiple top-3 performances at Normal Invite
By Micah Huff, Sports Reporter | April 14, 2025
A group of runners begin the 5k race at the NIU Huskie Opener on Sept 6. NIU cross country will compete at the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
NIU Cross Country set to finish season at MAC Championship
NIU runners from left, senior Emma Vorpagel, freshman Rachel Dietrich, sophomore Morgan Gioia and senior Olivia Southby run on Sept. 6 at the 5k North 40 course. NIU cross country finished in eighth place on Friday at the Bradley Pink Classic. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Cross country takes 8th at Bradley Pink Classic
NIU track and field then-junior Roshell Rowe competes at the Redbird Tune Up in February, 2024, in Normal, Illinois. Sports Reporter Micah Huff breaks down his three greatest takeaways from the Huskies' season so far. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
HUFF: 3 takeaways from the 2024-25 track and field indoor season
NIU track and field then-senior Malia Watkins makes a turn on the track during the Cyclone Open last January. Watkins took first place in the 100-meter dash at the Redbird Challenge on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Track and field picks up 4 first-place finishes at Redbird Challenge
 

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NIU gymnastics junior Kiera O'Shea poses after completing the vault event against Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 2. Rotating with the University of Alabama gymnastics team, O'Shea competed in the NCAA Regional tournament for the second consecutive year on Friday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Sofia Howell | Northern Star)
Kiera O’Shea ends season at NCAA regionals
By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter | April 4, 2025
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Blake West takes down Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshman Drew Davis as the Huskies defeated SIUE by a score of 19-12 on Feb. 22. West, along with redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson, were eliminated from the NCAA Wrestling Championship on Friday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
Huskie duo comes up short in NCAA Tourney
By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | March 22, 2025
A graphic depicts NIU gymnastics junior Kiera O'Shea as Huskie of the Week. O'Shea finished fourth all-around at the Mid-American Conferences on Saturday and earned a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament on Monday. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)
Huskie of the Week: O’Shea shines at MAC Championship, qualifies for NCAA tournament
NIU gymnastics freshman Drake White swings towards the low bar during the meet against Illinois State University on Friday. NIU gymnastics lost to ISU for the first time at home since 2013 on Jan. 24. The Huskies wrapped up the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday, finishing sixth out of seven teams. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Huskies take sixth place in MAC Championship
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Blake West faces off with University at Buffalo sophomore Max Elton during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Feb. 7. West became the Mid-American Conference 125 pound champion during the MAC Championships on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)
Blake West wins NIU’s first 125 pound MAC Championship since 2007
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Blake West battles University at Buffalo sophomore Max Elton in the meet on Feb. 7. The Huskies finished the regular season with a 7-3 (6-1 MAC) record after defeating Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 19-12 on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)
Wrestling wraps up regular season, defeats Cougars
NIU baseball senior outfielder Gavin Baldwin (33) jogs home after hitting a home run against the University of Illinois Chicago on March 26. The Huskies set a record for most home runs in a single season in Tuesday’s loss to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
Home run record set by Huskies in loss to Milwaukee
By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor | April 29, 2025
Senior first baseman Madison Mathews (21) dabs after her double to center field during the first inning of the second game on Tuesday against Western Michigan University. Mathews made most of a difference for the second game in fielding, tied for most number of putouts at a total of five for the second game. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Gallery: NIU Softball claims victory over Western Michigan
By Totus Tuus Keely, Assistant Photo Editor | April 30, 2025
NIU baseball junior infielder Will Couchman makes a play at shortstop during the game against Western Michigan University on April 25. The Huskies avoided being swept by Western Michigan on Sunday, winning a low-scoring 4-2 game. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Huskies avoid sweep with low scoring win over Broncos
NIU baseball junior infielder Ben Loyd (1) swings at a pitch during the Huskies’ game against Western Michigan University on April 25. The Huskies dropped a 10-6 game to the Broncos on Saturday, sparking a three-game losing streak. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Baseball sparks 3-game losing streak against Broncos
NIU softball senior first baseman Madison Mathews (21) doubles back after rounding third base during the first inning of Game 2 against Western Michigan University on Tuesday. The Huskies split the doubleheader, dropping a 4-3 first game before a 9-7 victory in Game 2. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Softball rides late-game surge to salvage split with Western Michigan
Sophomore shortstop Alana Powell (8) watches a ball pass home plate during the third inning. Powell hit a homerun past right field during the fifth inning, earning NIU their second and last run of the game. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Gallery: NIU Softball suffers loss to University of Akron
 

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Senior Ben Sluzas drives back to the Kishwaukee Country Club clubhouse from the second hole after finishing his second round. Saturday’s home tournament at the Kishwaukee Country Club was the first time NIU hosted a home meet at the club. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Gallery: NIU wins home golf tournament
By Totus Tuus Keely, Assistant Photo Editor | April 7, 2025
NIU women's golf freshman Dakota Tallent eyes the hole before attempting a putt at a tournament in the fall. The Huskies finished their first tournament of the spring on Wednesday, tying for fifth place at the Bowling Green State University Women's Intercollegiate. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Huskies tie for 5th at the BGSU Women’s Intercollegiate
By Eric Avila, Sports Reporter | February 13, 2025
NIU men's golf senior Felix Krammer completes his follow through after hitting a chip-shot at the Kishwaukee Collegiate on Saturday at the Kishwaukee Country Club in DeKalb. In a field of seven teams, NIU left the tournament victorious. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Men’s golf claims victory at Kishwaukee Collegiate
NIU men's golf senior Felix Krammer completes his follow through at a tournament in the Fall 2024 season. The Huskies finished the Arizona Thunderbirds Intercollegiate in 12th place on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Men’s golf finishes 12th at Thunderbirds Intercollegiate
NIU women's golf freshman Alex Ouellet completes her follow through, eyeing down her drive at a tournament in the fall. The Huskies ignite their 2025 spring season Tuesday at the Bowling Green State University Women's Intercollegiate. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
NIU Women’s Golf Opens Spring Season at BGSU Intercollegiate
Graduate student Emma Thorman watches her drive during her follow-through from the tee box. Thorman finished tied for 56th place as NIU women's golf finished in 12th place out of 12 teams at the Jim West Challenge on Monday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Women’s golf finishes last in final fall tournament
NIU baseball catcher Logan Gregorio (35) calls for a check from the first base umpire during the Huskies’ game against Western Michigan University on Friday. Gregorio hit his 15th home run of the season in the Huskies' 16-15 loss to the Broncos. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Huskies’ ninth inning rally falls just short, drop series opener to Broncos
By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | April 26, 2025
NIU women’s tennis freshman Irmak Budak waits for the ball before hitting it with a two-handed backstroke during the Huskies’ match against the University at Buffalo on April 13. The Huskies fell in a 4-1 loss against Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Tournament finals on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Huskies’ historic season ends with loss to Buffalo
By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor | April 25, 2025
NIU men's tennis junior Federico Scotuzzi celebrates after winning a point in his singles match against the University of Toledo on April 5. The Huskies played their last match of the season on Saturday, dropping a 4-3 battle against Western Michigan University. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
NIU wraps up season with loss to Broncos
NIU men’s tennis junior Iker Gaztambid Arrastia returns the ball in the Huskies’ match against the University of Toledo on April 5. The Huskies dropped a 5-2 match against Ball State University on Thursday, losing five singles matches after winning the doubles point. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Men’s tennis takes doubles point in loss to Cardinals
NIU women’s tennis freshman Lucia Yecora jumps up to serve the ball during the Huskies’ match against the University at Buffalo on April 13. NIU will face off against Buffalo for the Mid-American Conference Championship at 10 a.m. Friday after taking a 4-1 win against the University of Toledo in the semifinals on Thursday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Huskies advance to first MAC title game in school history
NIU women’s tennis senior Maria Dzemeshkevich claims a point during her singles match against the University at Buffalo on April 13. Dzemeshkevich was named to the All Mid-American Conference first team, while junior Nataly Ninova and freshman Lucia Yecora were named to the All MAC second team. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
3 Huskies named to All-MAC teams

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