seniors

zach cipra

ph, st, v, pb, hb

Major:

Master's in Business Administration

hometown:

Downers Grove, Illinois

favorite event:

Still Rings

why Niu:

The school was close to home and had my major and I could continue to do gymnastics

quote:

"Greatness comes from those who seek being the difference."

- Kirk Mango

joe bajek

ph, Sr, pb

Major:

Electrical Engineering

hometown:

Naperville, Illinois

favorite event:

Pommel Horse

why Niu:

The school was affordable and had the major I was looking for, it also had a gymnastics program!

quote:

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

- Nikola Tesla

dylan bohn

fx

Major:

Kinesiology 

hometown:

McHenry, Illinois

favorite event:

Floor

why Niu:

The school was close to home and I was on the cheer team but found a new passion with gymnastics

quote:

"Do or do not,

there is no try."

- Yoda

Ethan meister

fx, v, pb, hb

Major:

Mechanical Engineering

hometown:

Barrington Hills, Illinois

favorite event:

High Bar

why Niu:

After losing my senior nationals to COVID-19 I couldn't pass up a chance to have a final season

quote:

juniors

Joey Dirienzo

ph

Major:

Marketing

hometown:

Wheaton, Illinois

favorite event:

Pommel Horse

why Niu:

It provided a possibility to continue my gymnastics career at a college level as well as pursue school.

quote:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose" - Dr. Seuss

malcolm moore

fx, vt, hb

Major:

Rehabilitation and Psychology

hometown:

DeKalb, Illinois

favorite event:

Floor

why Niu:

I like the atmosphere of DeKalb and NIU along with being able to continue my athletics

quote:

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."

- Will Rogers

sophomores

david dortmund

all-around

Major:

Criminal Justice

hometown:

Bartlett, Illinois

favorite event:

Pommel Horse

why Niu:

Its a cool environment and let me pursue my degree plus compete gymnastics at the caliber I wanted

quote:

"The only thing holding you back,

is yourself."

-Brad Henry

cole schreiber

all-around

Major:

Aviation Flight Management

hometown:

Plainfield, Illinois

favorite event:

Pommel Horse & High Bar

why Niu:

The opportunity to pursue my education and continue my athletic career in college

quote:

freshmen

marty franz

PH, sr, pb

Major:

Undecided

hometown:

Wheaton, Illinois

favorite event:

Parallel Bars

why Niu:

I was able to keep doing gymnastics in college and be with my friends

quote:

jamylenn "oj" miles

fx, sr, v

Major:

Fire Science

hometown:

Maywood, Illinois

favorite event:

Floor

why Niu:

I was told by a coach I could have a chance to keep doing the sport I love so I took it

quote:

"The moment you give up is the moment you let somebody else win."

-Kobe Bryant

micah puckett

all-around

Major:

Physical Health

hometown:

Montgomery, Alabama

favorite event:

why Niu:

High Bar

quote:

I saw the opportunity to both continue gymnastics and grow a new program, I couldn't resist

bryan tirva

SR

Major:

History

hometown:

Burbank, Illinois

favorite event:

Vault & Still Rings

why Niu:

I didn't know or think I would have the chance to do this but I was more than excited to join

quote:

"We're not defined by tragedies or turning points. We're defined by the choices we make facing of them" - Nightwing