Dec. 22, 2006

DeKalb, Ill. - Northern Illinois head women's golf coach Pam Tyska knew what she wanted when she set out to sign her 2007-08 recruiting class, and she went out and got it.

In the first time in her 21 years as the Northern Illinois head coach, Tyska inked all three of the student-athletes she had sought out, including Carissa Burdi (Carol Stream, Ill.), Devon Harteneck (Lake City, Minn.) and Jessica Parmenter (Peoria, Ill.) to National Letters of Intent to golf for the Huskies, beginning with the 2007-08 campaign.

"We are so fortunate to have commitments from next year's freshmen," Tyska said. "They have all had very successful junior golf careers, but have not yet reached their potential.

"We look forward for that to happening as they are competing for the Huskies!"

Burdi was a two-year captain and four-year Most Valuable Player and All-Upstate Eight selection for Bartlett High School, including two appearances at the IHSA State Tournament as a junior and senior. Her junior season, Burdi tied for eighth at the state tournament with a two-round score of 154.

"Carissa has worked hard on her game to mature from one of the top Illinois Juniors into a strong college prospect," Tyska said. "She will put her heart and soul into our program and will be one of our top ambassadors."

Harteneck enters her senior campaign as a three-time All-Hiawatha Valley League selection and an All-State selection as a junior for Lincoln High School. Last season, Harteneck carded a two-round tally of 158 to place fourth overall at the Class A State Tournament. As a sophomore, Harteneck won the Lake City Invitational with a score of 85.

"Devon is a very well-rounded athlete and knows that it takes more than the average competitor to achieve success," Tyska said. "She is eager to make improvements and not afraid to do what it takes to get to the next level. She's a steady competitor in all types of conditions."

Parmenter is a four-year letterwinner for Peoria Christian who is coming off of a second-place finish at the IHSA Class A state tournament this past fall. She is a two-time selection to the Tri-County All-Conference team and helped Peoria Christian to four straight conference titles.

Parmenter is also an accomplished golfer in the junior ranks, as she qualified for the U.S. Girls National Championship in 2006 and placed third overall in the 2006 Illinois State Women's Amateur tournament.

"Jessica has only had success in her junior career," Tyska said. "She rises to the occasion of each competition that she has been involved with. She's currently one of the best players in the state, but in my opinion, the best is yet to come. She could be the top player in our region that is best prepared to evolve into collegiate golf and is capable of making an immediate impact."

The NIU women's golf team returns to action on February 11th as they will take on Southern Mississippi in Baja, Mexico.

--NIU--