NIU running back A.J. Harris may not have been drafted, but that doesn’t mean he’s not looking for a team.

The senior will head to the Washington Redskins rookie camp Thursday where he will compete for a chance to get signed by the team.

“If I do good at the camp I’ll get signed,” Harris said.

Harris said his shoulder injury should not be a concern for teams.

“I feel very confident [about the shoulder],” Harris said. “I haven’t had any problems or pain.”

The 225-pound back averaged 6.1 yards per carry in 10 games with the Huskies in 2005. Harris scored five touchdowns and gained 370 yards rushing.

Coaching up the kids

After her first full season as NIU women’s basketball coach, Carol Owens has been named assistant coach for USA Basketball’s 2006 Women’s FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship Team.

Owens, a two-time NIU Athletics Hall of Fame member, will assist DePaul’s Doug Bruno in selecting the 18-and-under team this summer.

“Having played in so many different countries, I consider it a real honor to represent our nation in any way,” Owens said. “So I’m real excited to work with such talented young ladies in a quest for gold. I have a deep-rooted respect for the winning tradition USA basketball has and want to see that continue.”

The team selection begins June 15 and the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship will be hosted by the United States from June 28 to July 2. The top four of the eight participating teams earn berths for the 2007 FIBA Women’s U19 World Championships to be held in Brtislava, Slovakia.

Finishing strong

The NIU women’s golf team wrapped up its season with a seventh-place finish at the MAC Championships Sunday. Senior Jackie Bailey finished in 33rd place to close out her NIU career, while sister Lisa Bailey led all Huskies by tying for 20th place.

“Jackie had a wonderful four-year career,” said head coach Pam Tyska. “She played in every tournament that we played in during her four years and fired a personal best [74] yesterday. More importantly, she will be remembered as a marvelous ambassador for NIU and the women’s golf program.”

Kent State took home the team title, winning by 60 strokes over second-place Toledo.

On cloud nine

Led by senior Nick Schenk, the NIU men’s golf team finished in ninth place in the 14-team field at the Firestone Golf Club Sunday.

Schenk fired two rounds of 72 to finish tied for 10th place to lead all Huskie finishers. Senior Ethan Roush was next best with a tie for 29th place. Ball State took the team title, winning by 13 strokes over Eastern Kentucky.

Sports Editor Jarrod Rice contributed to this article