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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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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Ethan Gonzales (left) and Lucas Didier sit in the Northern Star conference room during a sports budget. The Northern Star sports section covers NIU athletic events and sports in the Northern Illinois area. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)
Video
Meet the Northern Star | Sports
Junior gymnast Isabella Sissi swings her arms out as she poses during her floor routine. Sissi returned to NIUs lineup Sunday after missing the Huskies home finale on March 10. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
Sports
Huskies finish third in Minnesota to close regular season
A graphic shows the dates of this week in Huskie sports. Redshirt sophomore wrestler Blake West heads to the NCAA Championships this week in NIU Athletics. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)
Sports
West’s NCAA Championships trip headlines this week in Huskie sports
NIU then-redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Lynch prepares to throw a pass during a game against the University at Buffalo on Oct. 13, 2012, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Lynch was announced Friday as a member of the 2024 classes of the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame and MAC Hall of Fame. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)
Sports
Former Huskie star Jordan Lynch to join NIU, MAC Halls of Fame
Standings
 

Standings

 
Football

Football

 

6-6

Overall

 

.500

Pct

 

5-3

Conference

 

.625

Pct

Men's Basketball

Men’s
Basketball

 

5-2

Overall

 

.714

Pct

 

0-0

Conference

 

.000

Pct

Women's Basketball

Women’s
Basketball

 

3-4

Overall

 

.429

Pct

 

0-0

Conference

 

.000

Pct

Wrestling

Wrestling

 

3-1

Overall

 

.750

Pct

 

0-0

Conference

 

.000

Pct

Hockey

Hockey

 

1-16-2

Overall

 

.052

Pct

 

0-10

Conference

 

.000

Pct

 
Template: Men’s Sports
Men's Golf

Men’s
Golf

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Hockey

Hockey

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Men's Soccer

Men’s
Soccer

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Men's Basketball

Men’s
Basketball

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Wrestling

Men’s
Wrestling

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Football

Football

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Baseball

Baseball

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Men’s Tennis

Men’s
Tennis

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

xxxSPORTxxx

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Template: Women’s Sports
Women's Golf

Women’s
Golf

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Volleyball

Volleyball

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Women's Soccer

Women’s
Soccer

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Women's Basketball

Women’s
Basketball

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Gymnastics

Gymnastics

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Softball

Softball

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

Women’s
Tennis

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Overall

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Conference

 

xxxNUMBERxxx

Pct

 

Talking
Huskie sports ...

Ethan Gonzales (from left) and Zack Rodriguez sit down with Matthew Zuber and Jacobi Jackson from NIU wrestling in the podcast room. This week’s “All-Star” episode discusses life as a NIU wrestler. (Ethan Gonzales | Northern Star)
A chat with NIU wrestling
February 19, 2024
Skyler Kisellus (from left), Ethan Gonzales, Emmalise Nock and Dawsyn Sallee sit in a podcast room. All-Star episode 34 discusses NIU gymnastics. (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)
A sit down with NIU gymnastics
February 14, 2024
Logo for ‘All-Star: A Huskie Sports Podcast’ (Graphic by Harrison Linden | Northern Star)
'All-Star: A Huskie Sports Podcast Episode 32' - Looking toward the rest of the semester
January 28, 2024
 
 
 
Former NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi drops back during passing drills at Thursdays Pro Day inside the Chessick Practice Center. Lombardi worked out in front of scouts from at least 11 NFL teams. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
6 former Huskies participate in annual Pro Day
By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | March 8, 2024
NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes attacks during the Huskies’ home conference match against Eastern Michigan University Oct. 13 at Victor E. Court. Dykes entered the transfer portal Sunday after starting 23 matches for NIU in 2023. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)
Volleyball’s Emily Dykes enters transfer portal
By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 14, 2023
Then-senior linebacker Tyler Jackson (0) lines up behind then-redshirt sophomore George Gumbs Jr. and then-junior defensive tackle Cade Haberman in an NIU football home game against Ohio University on Oct. 14, 2023. NIU footballs 2024 schedule was released Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
NIU finalizes 2024 football schedule
Senior defensive tackle James Ester eyes his opponent in an NIU football home game against the University of Tulsa on Sep. 23, 2023. Ester is one of the few NIU football players that have declared the 2024 NFL Draft. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Previewing the 2024 NFL Draft prospects from the MAC
Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier serves the ball during a Nov. 11 match against Ball State University at John E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana. NIU volleyball finished its 2023 campaign with a final record of 8-22, a record that Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus believes doesnt define the team and its future. (Amber Pietz | Ball State Creative Services)
COLUMN: Volleyball played better than its record
NIU junior defensive specialist/libero Jada Cerniglia poses with a camera during NIU volleyball’s media day on Aug. 7. Cerniglia has established herself as a media savant at NIU after nearly three years in DeKalb. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)
Meet Jada Rae, NIU volleyball’s media mogul
 

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Men's soccer signs 3 to 2024 roster
By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 1, 2023
Women's golf finishes fourth at BGSU Women's Intercollegiate
By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 15, 2024
Senior midfielder Camilo Estrada receives a pass in mens soccers match against Loyola-Chicago on Sept. 26. Despite a loss in the MVC semifinals, heroic performances from the Huskies defense is a building block for the future. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)
COLUMN: Reviewing men’s soccer’s surprising season
Three men’s soccer seniors earn conference academic recognition
Senior guard Jayden Marable (3) ducks under Western Michigan senior guard Gabi Saxman (10) in a drive to the basket. Marable contributed 11 points in the Huskies loss on Wednesday. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)
No shot for women’s basketball against Western Michigan
Sophomore Nataly Ninova (left) and junior Erika Dimitriev celebrate a point during an NIU womens tennis home match against the University of Wisconsin on Saturday. The pair won their doubles match against the University of Iowa and each won their singles match against the University of Northern Iowa on Friday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Women’s tennis shines in doubles
Graduate student Zach Place studies his shot at the MAC Championship in May. Place tied for 25th at the Lake Las Vegas Invitational on Tuesday. (Courtesy of Taylor Strnad)
Men’s golf places 12th at Lake Las Vegas Invitational
By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 28, 2024
New Tallent signs with women’s golf
By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | November 30, 2023
Graduate student golfer Zach Place watches his putt during an NIU mens golf practice. Place led the Huskies in scoring average with 70.800 during the 2023 fall season.  (Courtesy NIU Athletics)
Sluzas, Place lead NIU men’s golf into spring season
Men’s golf adds four high-ranking golfers for the 2024-25 season
Women’s golf makes international signing with Alexa Ouellet
Then-junior Jasmine Ly shoots at the MAC Tournament from April 21 to April 23. Ly tied the NIU record for lowest round score at the Johnie Imes Invitational and earned MAC Golfer of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Ly shines, Huskies struggle at Pat Bradley Invitational
Planck leads cross country at NCAA Midwest Regional
By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | November 11, 2023
Senior middle distance runner Julia Finegan runs past an Eastern Illinois University opponent at the Redbird Tune Up on Friday. Finegan brought home two top-five finishes for the Huskies Friday. (Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics)
Track & field takes 3 top spots at the Redbird Tune Up
By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 17, 2024
Senior Julia Finegan runs at the Western Illinois Invitational cross country meet on Sept. 1. The Huskies finished the event tied for second place. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Two Huskies PR, cross country takes 11th
NIU cross country head coach Juan Carrillo takes in the scene at an NIU event. Carrillo is in his first year as head coach of NIU cross country. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Culture shifter: The Carrillo effect on NIU cross country
Senior Malia Watkins makes a turn on the track during the Cyclone Open on Jan. 19. Watkins took home a seventh place finish in the 60-meter dash at the Meyo Classic in South Bend, Indiana Saturday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Track & field brings home 6 top-10 finishes
Track & Field secure multiple top-5 performances at ONU Invite
 

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NIU junior gymnast Isabella Sissi competes on floor during the second rotation of a quad-meet Sunday inside the James T. Valvano Arena at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sissi finished second in the all-around with a score of 39.050 as NIU finished third in the meet, behind North Carolina State University and Iowa State University, with a team score of 195.200. (Courtesy of NC State Athletics)
O’Shea vault title lands NIU third place in N.C.
By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | March 4, 2024
Redshirt sophomore Blake West eyes his Kent State University opponent in Day 1 of the MAC Championships Friday. West qualified for the NCAA Tournament after falling in the championship round of the MAC Championships. (Elsye Jones | Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Wrestling places 7th at MAC Championships
By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | March 12, 2024
NIU freshman gymnast Isabella Ross places a crown upon freshman Dawsyn Sallee’s head during the Huskies’ home quad-meet Sunday at the Convocation Center. Sallee received MAC Specialist of the Week honors Tuesday after posting NIU’s highest scores on vault and beam at the meet. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)
Sallee named MAC Specialist of the Week
NIU senior gymnast Alyssa Al-Ashari salutes at the end of her bars routine in the second rotation of the Beauty and the Beast Meet on Feb. 9 at the Convocation Center. Al-Ashari serves as one of the Huskies four team captains while being a consistent standout on the uneven parallel bars and the balance beam. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Alyssa Al-Ashari’s ascent to bar and beam stardom
Redshirt freshman Jacob Brya celebrates a victory in an NIU wrestling home dual against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday. Brya was named the MAC West Wrestler of the Week on Monday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
Brya secures MAC West Wrestler of the Week honors
Redshirt sophomore Blake West attempts to pin Southern Illinois University Edwardsville redshirt sophomore Davian Guanajuato on Fridays Senior Day event for NIU wrestling. West defeated Guanajuato 4-3 on Friday to finish the season undefeated in dual matchups. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
Return of the MAC: Wrestling champions the West
Then-junior infielder Eric Erato swings at a pitch against the University of Illinois Chicago on April 25, 2023. Erato went 3-for-5 in NIU baseballs 6-1 victory over Ohio University on Sunday. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)
Shutdown pitching powers NIU to first MAC-series win since 2021
By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | March 12, 2024
NIU softball huddles up before a game against Central Michigan University on April 2, 2023. The Huskies defeated the University of Montana Grizzlies 3-1 in their final game before MAC play. (Northern Star File Photo)
Softball wins final tournament game of regular season
By Lucas Didier, Assistant Sports Editor | March 11, 2024
Senior infielder Aaron Harper throws a baseball to a teammate before NIU baseballs matchup with Louisiana State University. Harper recorded three hits in Game 2 of the Huskies doubleheader against Ohio University Friday. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)
Baseball splits doubleheader with Ohio, wins first MAC game of 2024
Senior infielder Andre Demetral focuses on a throw during an NIU baseball game against Louisiana State University. Demetral recorded one hit in the Huskies 14-1 loss to the University of Cincinnati on Sunday. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)
Baseball bags 'Boneyard Win', drops 2 to Bearcats
Then NIU junior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker (3) points to communicate with a coach before an inning on March 31, 2023. Shumaker scored the winning run against College of the Holy Cross Saturday on a bunt from freshman outfielder Katy Ramage. (Northern Star File Photo)
Ramage walks off Crusaders as Huskies split Saturday action
Junior middle infielder/outfielder Jenna Turner walks back to the dugout March 3 against Western Kentucky University. Turner had 2 RBIs Friday as NIU lost to College of the Holy Cross and University of Montana. (Courtesy of Wyatt Richardson)
Huskies drop first two games of Montana Softball Classic
 

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Graduate student golfer Zach Place watches his shot during practice. The NIU mens golf team finished its 2023 fall season with an 18th place finish at the Quail Valley Invitational. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)
Men’s golf finishes fall season with eighth place finish
By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | October 16, 2023
Then-junior Jasmine Ly shoots at the MAC Tournament from April 21 to April 23. Ly tied the NIU record for lowest round score at the Johnie Imes Invitational and earned MAC Golfer of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Ly nabs MAC Golfer of the Week
By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 30, 2023
Graduate student Zach Place takes a shot during NIU mens golfs practice. The Huskies are looking to break through early-season struggles and repeat as MAC champions. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
COLUMN: Men's golf is on the rise
Graduate student Zach Place watches his shot during an NIU mens golf practice day. Place received MAC Golfer of the Week after his fourth place finish at the Purdue Fall Invitational. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Place earns MAC Golfer of the Week after 4th place finish
Senior golfer Jasmine Ly following through on her swing on Tuesday. Ly finished in a tie for third place at the Redbird Invitational. (Bill Salyer | Illinois State Athletics)
Ly ties NIU single round record
Senior golfer Jasmine Ly following through on her swing on Tuesday. Ly finished in a tie for third place at the Redbird Invitational. (Bill Salyer | Illinois State Athletics)
Women's golf places 12th at Mary Fossum Invitational
Freshman Saul Berdullas throws up a serve against Omaha on March 2. Berdullas was the lone Huskie to win a singles match in a  5-2 loss to Western Michigan University. (Norther Star File Photo)
Men’s tennis falls to Western Michigan, ends winning streak at 9
March 11, 2024
NIU senior Diana Lukyanova bounces the ball before serving at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House Saturday. Lukyanova won all her matches in both singles and doubles as womens tennis defeated Eastern Illinois University 7-0 and University of St. Thomas 6-1. (Katherine Follmer | Northern Star)
Women’s tennis’ Saturday sweep extends winning streak to 5
By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | March 10, 2024
Freshman Sam Klein (left) and sophomore Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (right) reach for a handshake at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Gaztambide Arrastia won his doubles match with sophomore Christopher Norlin as NIU defeated Ball State University 5-2. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)
Men’s tennis wins 9th straight with win over Ball State
NIU senior Mikael Vollbach gets set to receive the serve during singles. Vollbach scored the Huskies’ second point in a tight match that went to a second set tiebreaker as he defeated University of Nebraska Omaha sophomore Ryoma Mishiro with scores of 6-4, 7-6 and 7-5. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)
Vollbach earns MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week honors
Sophomore Jenna Horne winds up a shot at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Horne won her doubles match with junior Reagan Welch 6-4 as NIU defeated Lewis University 5-2. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Women’s tennis defeats Lewis, wins third straight
Junior Reagan Welch pursues a shot to her right in a doubles match at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Welch won her singles match 6-2, 6-0 and her doubles match with sophomore Jenna Horne 6-0 as womens tennis defeated University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 6-1 Friday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)
Women's tennis takes down undefeated Whitewater