Freshman Avery Riiff tied for the win on beam with a 9.800 as the Northern Illinois University gymnastics team traveled to Kent State for the 2026 season opener.

The Huskies dropped the meet 195.350-191.675 to the Golden Flashes. Sophomore Drake White (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) took third place on floor, posting a score of 9.775. White was the only all-arounder for either team, finishing the day with a career high all-around score of 38.000.

“First meet of the year and we had some nerves,” head coach Nita Teague said. “We have a young team and we had some spots being filled with new comers. We know we can improve and we’re excited to get back out there next weekend at EMU.”

Junior Ashlie Leage (Poulsbo, Was. North Kitsap) led NIU on bars with a 9.750 in Leage’s first competition with the Huskies. On vault, sophomore Audrey Brenner (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac) and Dawsyn Sallee (Versailles, Ky./Woodford County High) each scored a 9.750.

The Huskies scored a 48.625 on floor, the highest overall in the dual. White’s 9.775 led NIU, just ahead of junior Mikayla Brown (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge), who scored a 9.750.

Senior Jocelyn Harbeck (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) scored a 9.725 in her first career appearance on beam as a Huskie. Harbeck and fellow senior Samantha Nickle (Yorktown, Va./York) each competed in three events against Kent State.

In total, six Huskies made their first appearance in today’s meet, including five freshmen. Teague has pointed to the talent and energy the newcomers bring to the table.

“Hats off to Avery Riiff for first place on beam,” Teague said. “Ashlie Leage showed a great bar routine for her NIU debut.”

The Huskies will travel to Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. before making their home debut vs. Ball State on Jan. 24.