Club teams prepare to start fall seasons

By Korey Peterson

Each week, the Northern Star will keep you updated on the latest happenings in club sports. Here are the fall season previews for some of NIU’s teams that you may not know about:

Waterski and Wakeboard

‘09 Result: DNQ for Regionals

Next: 9/11 Hawkeye Skifest hosted by University of Iowa

Conference: National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) Midwest Region

Contact: [email protected]

Quotable: “Unfortunately we don’t have a full girl’s team [five females and five males are required for a full team], so it will be difficult to win conference unless more girls join. However, our guy’s team is looking really solid this year. A lot of new freshmen guys and transfers just joined, so I am confident that they will do very well.” – Holly Kulovitz, Club President

Men’s Rugby

‘09 Result: Won Tournament of Champions (NIU hosted tournament)

Last: Lost alumni game on 8/21

Next: 9/11 @ Loyola

Conference: Chicago Area Rugby Football Union (CARFU) Collegiate Men’s Division

Contact: [email protected]

Quotable: “The Alumni game helped us figure out what we need to work on. I was really impressed with some of the rookies that came out. We are going to have a solid team with our new recruits and the veterans that we have.” – Jim Sronkoski, Club President

Women’s Rugby

‘09 Result: Lost championship game to Loyola

Last: 2nd in SIU Tournament last weekend

Next: 9/11 @ Loyola

Conference: Chicago Area Rugby Football Union (CARFU) Collegiate Women’s Division

Contact: [email protected]

Quotable: “We played well in the [SIU] tournament, but we could’ve been better. Both us and Loyola get better and better every year. It’s going to come down to who makes fewer mistakes and who wants it more.” – Gina DeFano, Team Captain

Lacrosse

‘09 Result: Fourth in conference

Next: 9/11 Home vs. Alumni

Conference: Great Lakes Lacrosse League (GLLL) Central Division and National Collegiate Lacrosse League (NCLL) Great Lakes Division

Contact: [email protected]

Quotable: “We are returning all of our starting defense, which was one of the best in our conference, most of our midfield and most of our attack as well. We lost a key player in our goalie, but we have two young and experienced players filling in. We’re hoping to win a few tournaments this fall.” – Dave Jasper, Club President

Equestrian

‘09 Result: second in regionals

Next: 10/2 @ SIU

Conference: Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Hunt Seat Division

Contact: [email protected]

Quotable: “Last year we had a heartbreaking loss to Truman State for first place in our region. We are determined to take back our much deserved title as regional champions. We have very high hopes and are expected to reach them.” – Hannah Kautz, Club Co-President