The NIU women’s golf team had a stunning performance this past weekend as they hosted the NIU Huskie Fall Classic Friday and Saturday (Oct. 1-2).

The Huskies’ score of 976 was good enough to take third place behind Iowa State University (948) and Ohio State University (966).

“This was definitely our best finish of the year,” said Head Coach Pam Tyska. “Our scores were rags to riches for the most part.”

Junior Shelly Wendals came away from the weekend boasting a third place finish. She turned out a 77 in round one, but could not keep up that pace, finishing the second 18 holes with an 81. Wendals finished the three-day event with a 78 and 236 total, which tied her for the day’s best mark along with Illinois State University’s Tina Lindsey.

Another NIU junior, Samantha Thompson, rounded out the top 10 for the weekend, posting a 244. Consistency was the key for Thompson, who ended round one with an 84. She then shaved her score down to an 80 in round two and duplicated her performance in round three.

“I was really happy for both Shelly and Samantha. They struggled with one round, but they were determined on Saturday and did the job they needed to do,” said Tyska.

It was a different story for senior Karen Bromberg, who started out the weekend strong with a first-round 74. In round two she lost concentration and shot an uncharacteristic high of 89. On Saturday she managed to take three strokes off to end round three with an 86, posting a 249 for the weekend.

Throughout the tournament, freshman Kara Soderberg stayed in the low 80s, posting an 83, 82, and 85 to bring her total for the classic to the 250 mark.

Caryn Walker rounded out Tyska’s group, posting an 83 for round one, a 96 in round two, and an 84 on Saturday to finish at 263.

This year’s award for the NIU Huskie Classic Coach of the Year went to Ron English of Ferris State University. The classic’s award for Sport Woman of the Year went to Illinois State’s Tina Lindsey. Both were voted on by their peers for their respective awards.