Not only has NIU golfer Rick Stewart received recognition for his talents, he’s made Huskie history.

The NIU junior became the first Huskie to be awarded Athlete of the Week status by the Association of Mid-Continent Universities—NIU’s new men’s conference affiliation. AMCU Commissioner Jerry Ippoliti announced Stewart as AMCU Golfer of the Week. Top league athletes also were chosen for the week in soccer and cross country.

Stewart led NIU to a solid third-place finish in last weekend’s AMCU/University of Northern Iowa Invitational while finishing in a tie for the individual runner-up title. Stewart’s 290 tally was just nine strokes behind medalist Kevin Fairfield of the University of Illinois.

As a team, NIU started the three-day meet in third and held that position. Although NIU was unable to overtake the Illini, the Huskies did put distance between themselves and the rest of the field. NIU recorded a 282 total for the final 18 holes, only to have Illinois post a course-record 280.

Stewart was certainly responsible in large part for NIU’s low team total as he scored a three-under-par 69 in Sunday’s final round at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course.

“I don’t think there’s a more deserving individual. Rick’s a co-captain, a real leader on and off the field, a good student in the classroom,” NIU coach Jack Pheanis said. “I’m convinced he’ll have a super career before he’s through. Shooting a three-under-par 69 on the last day was great.”