March 26, 2007

DeKalb, Ill.- "There's no place like home."

This must be true for the NIU Gymnastics Program (7-10, 1-5) and gymnast Leah Johnson (Glenview, Ill.). After earning the all-around title at the Illinois Classic Gymnastics Championship on Sunday at the NIU Convocation Center, the sophomore was named the Mid-American Conference Gymnast of the Week Monday, the first Huskie honored with that award this season.

Johnson, who edged out UIC's Jessie Jaworowicz for the state all-around championship by a score of 39.075-39.050, recorded her highest all-around total of her career the third-highest all-around number in the MAC this season. Johnson also won the vault crown Sunday with a career-best score of 9.850 to help Northern Illinois to a second-place finish at the meet behind champion UIC.

Aside from posting excellent scores for the vault and all-around, Johnson also tied for fourth on the floor exercise with a 9.800 and tied for fifth on the beam with a 9.700. She added a 9.725 on the bars to close out the day.

"[This award is] so deserving," said NIU Head Coach Mark Sontag. "She came out on Sunday and put four events together and it's nice to see that recognized by the conference where we have so many great athletes and great gymnasts. To be recognized by the MAC really means something and is great for Leah and for our program."

Johnson, who along with floor exercise winner Jennifer Naughton, picked up All-State honors on Sunday, joins Naughton in earning MAC recognition this season. The Smithville, Mo. native was named MAC Specialist of the Week on March 5.

Both NIU gymnasts were also honored by the league a year ago as Johnson was the MAC Gymnast of the Week on Jan. 17, 2006 in her freshman debut at Northern and Naughton was a Specialist of the Week on Feb. 13 as a rookie.

Upon conclusion of the Illinois Classic on Sunday, the Huskies finished in second place with a score of 194.125, which included team bests results in both the vault and the floor exercise with 48.850 and 48.900, respectively.

The stellar performance, both by Johnson and the team, could not have come at a better time as the Huskies head to Ypsilanti, Mich. on March 31, to compete in the MAC Championships.

---NIU---