With summer a hop, skip and a jump away, students are anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Only one task remains in front of them: finals. With this on their mind, it’s a good time to evaluate all the Huskies teams as one group.

Although each sport presents different difficulties, a fair grade will be given based on the performances of each team. Unlike most classes, however, extra credit can be received for big achievements.

The first sport looked at is volleyball. Another successful season as the team finished above .500 with a record of 14-10. More notable events include records broken by Tera Lobdell and having junior Kate McCullagh selected to play overseas at the Sibillini Tournament as a U.S. representative.

A good beginning to a grueling grading scale has the volleyball team opening with a grade of B in the bleachers grading book.

The football team boasted a 9-3 record and a bowl victory. Besides the obvious fact NIU has continued its domination of the MAC, a grade of A will be given for other factors.

The Huskies have finally become noticeable with all but one of their games from the 2004 campaign broadcasted on TV. The team also had a record eight players sign as NFL free agents.

The women’s basketball team may have had a subpar season but now appear to have made a large step in the rebuilding process. New coach Carol Owens will be perhaps the best addition for the Huskies next season.

A grade of C is given for mainly the direction the team looks to be headed in. Bonus points were added here thanks to all-MAC third team selection Stephanie Raymond.

Men’s basketball merits a grade of C minus. Although the team played well at home, a season can be made or busted on the road. The inability for the Huskies to come away with even one road win in MAC play can’t be overlooked.

Mike McKinney was named an all-MAC honorable mention but this extra credit was wiped clean. Frank Clair’s inability to play because of academics and Paige Paulsen transferring has left the Huskies with unanswered questions.

The wrestling team has found themselves celebrating a good season. They were yet again unable to get past Central Michigan, the equivalent to the football team’s Toledo.

The team had much individual success as well. After finishing second in the MAC, Josh Wooton claimed the 141-pound championship at the MAC tournament. The Huskies also sent four competitors to the NCAA tournament, helping with a grade of B plus.

Baseball brings in a grade of D for the term period. With only two wins thus far in conference play, the Huskies are averaging nearly three errors per contest.

Although falling from a fast start, softball still possess the ability to finish the season at .500 this year. If the team were to do so, they would be riding a four-game winning streak into the MAC tournament and receive a grade of C.