The Spartan women look finish 2013 in dominating fashion. After winning an indoor Northern Athletics Conference Championship in early March, AU is favored to also win an outdoor Northern Athletics Conference Championship. “Our girls are on a serious tear this year,” said graduate assistant Ryan Schroeder. “We are only going to get better.”
           
Athletes such as Loretta Johnson, Liz Canaday, CJ Houlis, Elise Hinson, Lauren Miller, Ainsley Richards, and Cara Hahne are all ranked first in the Northern Athletics Conference in their respective events. The AU women also rank first in the conference in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.
           
At the 2013 indoor NAC championships this past March, the Spartans won conference championships in five events, the 5,000 meter (Houlis), 400 meter (Liz Canaday), 200 meter (Liz Canaday), triple jump (Ciara Marlow) and the 4x400 meter relay (Marlow, Caitlin Monigold, Lena Palmer and Canaday). Returners Lauren Miller (high jump) and Samantha Owens (shot put) also placed first in their respective events at the 2012 outdoor NAC Championships.
           
“Our jumpers have been a driving force this outdoor season,” said assistant coach Brandon Sturman. “Freshmen through seniors, this has to be one of the most talented and deepest groups in the nation.” Senior Ainsley Richards, freshman Ciara Marlow, and senior Lauren Miller all rank in the top ten in long jump. Freshman Talia Sheedlo, Marlow, Hinson, Miller, and Monigold all rank in the top ten in triple jump. Freshman Jenna Taylor, Marlow, Olivia Ashbrook, Miller, and Rebecca Rod all rank in the top ten in the high jump.

Next action for the Spartan women's track and field team comes on Friday, May 3 and Saturday May 4 at the 2013 Northern Athletics Conference Championships hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College. Meet time is set for 11 a.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.