After a poor showing last year, things are looking up for the NIU men’s golf team.

“We are looking forward to a very respectable season,” coach Jack Pheanis said. “I think we will surprise some people this year.”

The Huskies will look to senior Eric Smith for leadership this season. The former Aurora Marmion Academy Cadet will be the captain of this year’s young but experienced team.

After receiving votes for the All-MAC team last season, Scott Alwes enters the season as the likely No. 1 golfer. Alwes led the Huskies with a 76.2 scoring average as a sophomore last

year. Alwes also placed second at the Rockford city championships in 1997, firing a final round 65.

A pair of sophomores will see significant action for the Huskies this year, as former walk-on Joe True and Mike Spielmann both expect good things following superb rookie campaigns. True played at the No. 3 position most of last year and tied for third in scoring average at 77.6. Spielmann struggled last spring but still averaged 78.6. But the key to success for the Huskies this year could rest in the hands of Jeff Brue.

The former three time DeKalb High School MVP was forced to redshirt last year due to a back injury. As a freshman Brue compiled a 75.8 average in 12 rounds.

The final two spots on the current Huskie roster belong to Marques Morel and Eric Aldrich. Morel and Aldrich both redshirted last year but are expected to step into key roles this year. Aldrich, a junior, came to NIU by way of Sauk Valley College where he earned All-Arrowhead accolades after winning the conference title. Morel, a redshirt sophomore, has yet to play a collegiate round.

Two more roster spots will be filled by way of walk-on tryouts later this fall.