The Northern Illinois University gymnastics team is off to Eastern Michigan to compete in the Golden Girls Classic this Saturday. The meet with be broadcasted on ESPN+ beginning at 3 p.m. CT.

Saturday’s tri-meet the second road trip for the Huskies this week as NIU traveled to Kent State on Sunday, Jan. 10. NIU will go head-to-head with both Eastern Michigan and SUNY Brockport in the classic.

Against Kent State, freshman Avery Riiff (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East) and sophomore Drake White (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) both open the year with strong performances. Riiff tied for first on beam with a 9.800 and scored a 9.675 on floor in her first college meet.

White competed as an all-arounder for only the second time in her career, scoring a 38.000. White finished third on floor, recording a 9.775. Junior Ashlie Leage (Poulsbo, Was./North Kitsap) made her debut with the Huskies, scoring a team-high 9.750 on bars.

Eastern Michigan began the 2026 season with a win, 192.925-191.900, over Bowling Green. The Eagles took first place on bars with Keeley Kohler earning a 9.775 while Abby Brushwood won on floor with a 9.750. Kyrie Lowe was the only all-arounder in the meet, finishing with a 38.775.

SUNY Brockport is coming off a victory over Ithaca College, 191.200-187.600. Kiara Hockman won NCGA Specialist of the Week after scoring a 9.775 on vault and a 9.800 on floor.

The Huskies held on to a narrow victory over Eastern Michigan last year in the MAC opener, 193.375-193.300. White’s 9.825 on floor secured the comeback win for the Huskies.

NIU will host its first home meet on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. against Ball State at the NIU Convocation Center. Admission is free.