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DeKALB, IL - With only three letterwinners returning for the 2002-03 campaign, Northern Illinois University women's golf coach Pam Tyska knew that she was going to have to rely on mixture of experience and youth. While the season didn't turn out as




May 29, 2003

SENIOR JANELLE WARRICK TAKES HOME MVP AND TOP DOG HONORS FOR NIU WOMEN'S GOLF
DeKALB, IL - With only three letterwinners returning for the 2002-03 campaign, Northern Illinois University women's golf coach Pam Tyska knew that she was going to have to rely on mixture of experience and youth. While the season didn't turn out as the Huskies had hope, the foundation has been laid for future success.

"We knew that this year was going to be a rebuilding process, but I couldn't ask for anything more out of the entire team," Tyska said. "The upperclassmen did a great job of being leaders for our younger players and the freshmen all stepped up in a big way. We'll be back next season with some new faces. It's the beginning of a new frontier."

Leading this year's squad was senior Janelle Warrick (Neenah, WI) as she captured her fourth NIU varsity letter and took home four awards at the team banquet. Tops on the squad with an 83.5 strokes per round average, Warrick was honored with the Most Valuable Performer, Top Dog, Scholar Athlete and Captains awards. Three times during the fall season she posted sub-80 rounds, including a year-low 76 during the Falcon Invitational. Her best finish of the year was a tie for tenth at the Bronco Invitational.

Over the next few campaigns, Tyska will look to freshman Jackie Bailey (Decatur / Warrenburg-Latham) to lead her squad. This season the rookie finished second on the team with an average of 83.6 as she was named Freshman of the Year. Bailey had the best 36-hole score of any Huskies as she carded a 158 (80-78) at the NIU Snowbird Classic. In the following tournament she turned in Northern Illinois' highest finish of the year as she placed ninth at the Bronco Invite.

Normally shaving strokes off your round can get you into trouble, but when it is a year-long process that comes through hard work it is encouraged. Making the biggest improvement this season was Irish Whalen (Hanover / River Ridge). The junior cut nearly five strokes off her 2001-02 average to earn the Progress Award. Whalen was also honored with the Sportswoman Award. Rounding out the award winners was senior Amanda Mapley (Davenport, IA / Bettendorf) as she picked up the Coaches Award.

"Janelle had a stellar career on the course and in the classroom," Tyska noted. "She is the perfect definition of the student-athlete. Jackie finished an excellent year in consistent fashion. Her performance this year is definitely a highlight to carry us into next season."

Next year the Huskies return seven letterwinners and three of their top five players.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS WOMEN'S GOLF 2002-03 TEAM AWARDS
Most Valuable Performer: Janelle Warrick (Neenah, WI)
Top Dog: Janelle Warrick (Neenah, WI)
Progress Award: Irish Whalen (Hanover / River Ridge)
Sportswoman Award: Irish Whalen (Hanover / River Ridge)
Scholar Athlete Award: Janelle Warrick (Neenah, WI)
Freshman of the Year: Jackie Bailey (Decatur / Warrenburg-Latham)
Captain Award: Janelle Warrick (Neenah, WI)
Coaches Award: Amanda Mapley (Davenport, IA / Bettendorf)

Northern Illinois University 2002-03 Women's Golf Letterwinners (# -- indicates number of letters earned): #-Jackie Bailey (Decatur / Warrenburg-Latham), #-Jamie Carney (Rolling Meadows), #-Lynzee Gumm (Galesburg), #-Jackie Heslop (Pequot Lakes, MN), ####-Amanda Mapley (Davenport, IA / Bettendorf), #-Roberta Mussuch (Watertown, WI), ####-Janelle Warrick (Neenah, WI), #-Ally Williams (Hoffman Estates / Palatine Fremd), ##-Irish Whalen (Hanover / River Ridge).

-Copy by Michael Smoose

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