After missing almost all of the 2004 season because of injury, NIU slugger Mike Santoro is back in a big way.

The senior outfielder hit three home runs in the Huskies’ season opening series at Texas Tech and on Monday was named the MAC West Division Player of the Week.

“It was just an outstanding weekend for Mike and a well deserved award,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “He’s worked tremendously hard to get back to where he is and he produced those results without the benefit of playing over the summer or in the fall. I think people can see what kind of work ethic Mike Santoro has off the field.”

Santoro finished the series 6-of-15 with six RBIs and 16 total bases.

Finishing on top

The NIU women’s track and field team won six event titles Saturday en route to a first-place finish at the 10-team Chicagoland Championships for the second consecutive year.

The Huskies tallied 162.5 points with the next closest finisher, Valparaiso, with 87 points.

NIU junior Lindsay Chamberlain set a school record, besting her own school mark in the weight throw with a toss of 58 feet-3.75 inches.

Poland native Alicja Czajka picked up an easy victory in the mile run, finishing in 4:58.77 — nine seconds quicker than the second-place finisher.

Central Michigan will host the MAC Indoor Championships on Friday and Saturday.

Road warriors

The NIU women’s tennis team picked up its first road win of the season Friday with a 5-2 win over Southern Illinois.

After sweeping the doubles matches, the Huskies (2-3) proceeded to win four of the six singles contests, including No. 1 through No. 4.

Daniela Martinez was the only Huskie to have to play more than two sets in the win. At No. 4 singles, Martinez defeated Zoya Honarmand 6-1, 1-6, 6-4.

Falling in state

The NIU men’s tennis team (4-4) had its four-meet winning streak ended 4-3 by Illinois State on Saturday.

The Huskies, who had been 4-2 against in-state opponents, split the singles matches, but lost two of the three doubles matches.

Willy Gali made quick work of Djordje Uskokovic at No. 1 singles, ousting him 6-3, 6-1.

Back in the swing of things

Nick Schenck shot a three-round 212 to lead the NIU men’s golf team to an 8th place finish at the Pala Mesa Invitational on Feb. 14-15 in San Diego, Calif.

Grand Canyon University won the 12-team event with a team total of 866. NIU finished with a 905.

Schenck, a junior, finished second overall – three shots behind champion Bryan Manning from GCU.