NIU men’s golf couldn’t find itself on the right side of par this past weekend, as the team competed in the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Huskies placed 13th out of 14 teams. As a group, NIU tallied a total score of 900, putting it 36 strokes above par.

Tim Kay led the Huskies, finishing with a score of 219. The score placed him at +1 for the weekend. It also tied the sophomore at 32nd at the invitational, three shots below teammate Zach Jecklin.

“Tim played really well for us,” NIU coach John Cleary said. “He really liked this course, and was comfortable out there. He’s playing a lot better.”

Cleary said the invitational helped prepare the team for the MAC Championships in early May. The invite was held at the same course where the championships will be held. The coach said his golfers got a good feel for the links this weekend.

Strength in numbers

That’s what the NIU women’s track and field team showcased during its second-place finish at the Augie Invite on Friday.

The Huskies won a season-high 12 events at the contest and finished with a total of 225 points.

NIU got a strong outing from seniors Elizabeth Berquist (high jump) and Meagan Guenther (hammer throw). The pair won their individual events for the second consecutive time.

Other Huskie winners include Sunsea Shaw (800-meter), Coretta Evans (400-meter) and Carolyn Vasquez (400-meter hurdles).

Along with the individual wins, NIU dominated its relay competition. The team swept the races they participated in, winning the 4 x 100 relay, 4 x 400 relay and spring medley.

California Heat

NIU softball head coach Lindsay Chouinard received two new National Letters of Intent for the 2009 season.

Pitcher Morgan Bittner and catcher/outfielder Michelle Williams will be heading to DeKalb from their home state of California to contribute to the program.

Bittner will attend NIU after graduating from Long Beach Poly High School. During the pitcher’s high school career, she was named the team’s MVP twice.

“Morgan is just the pitcher I was looking for as my first pitcher signee,” said Chouinard. “She has an active wrist, complimented by great control.”

Williams will become a Huskie after completing two years at Fresno City College in California.

Chouinard said the catcher’s experience in Division I softball will benefit the team. The coach said Williams has the know-how and work ethic to raise the level of the NIU softball program.