March 25, 2008

DeKALB, Ill. --- Northern Illinois gymnast Leah Johnson (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South HS) was named the Mid-American Conference Co-Gymnast of the Week Tuesday by the league office after recording her career best all-around score at the State of Illinois Classic in Champaign, Ill. last Saturday.

Johnson earned the MAC honor for the third time this season and for the fourth time in her career on the heels of a second-place finish in the all-around at the State Championships, where she compiled a score of 39.125. Her all-around total is the second-highest for a MAC gymnast this year.

The junior put together her most consistent day of the season Saturday, scoring a 9.800 on vault to take third place in that event and tying for second place on the floor exercise with a 9.825. She added a season-best 9.775 on balance beam to tie for seventh and a 9.725 on the uneven parallel bars.

Johnson also picked up MAC weekly honors on January 22 and January 29, following meets versus Kent State and Western Michigan.

Behind Johnson, the Huskies posted their second-highest team score of the season as NIU totaled a 193.725 at the State of Illinois Classic to improve to 10-4 overall. The score was Northern's best road total of the year.

Next, Northern Illinois travels to Kent, Ohio for the Mid-American Conference Championships, which will be held Saturday at the MAC Center beginning at 1 p.m. (Central).

-- NIU --