The Aurora University men's track team placed second in the 2017 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin (at Carthage College).

The Spartan men were underdogs against highly ranked (No. 3) Benedictine University, but made the meet immensely closer than the meet was projected to be scored. AU scored 191 points but lost as Benedictine scored 242.5. The Spartans did out score the remaining seven NACC schools combined as they scored a combined 188.5 points.

The throwers stepped up in a big way for the team by having two athletes break the NACC meet record in the respective performances. The first of which is the sensational shot put thrower Junior Ryan Njegovan who handily placed first in the shot put with a mark of 16.23m. Junior Brandon Pichen had an incredible performance by having a lifetime best of 18.19m in the weight throw, which propelled him to ranking 6^th in the nation.
 
Junior Bobby Cooks gave everything he could for the team by being the Spartan's top performer in four separate events, most notably winning the 55 meter hurdle race with a time of 7.49s. Junior Terry Moore had an outstanding day against elite competition in the sprints by placing third in the 200 meter race and second in the 400 meter race.
 
The pole vaulters had a strong day by having juniors Brandon Davis and Sean Ganey finish second and third respectively. The high jumpers had a strong day in a similar vein with junior Nick Majka and senior Austen Stewart finishing second and third.
 
The distance squad had an all-around excellent by having an abundance of scoring runners. The Distance Medley Relay squad which included: sophomore Christian Barajas at the 1,200 meter leg, freshmen Khadeil Ergas at the 400, senior D.J. Wolfram running the 800, and senior Nick Shaw as the anchor leg running the mile placed first with a resounding lead of 13 seconds. The men's 5,000 meter crew had an excellent day by having all five runners' score, which included senior Jimmy Baeskens who won the event. Jimmy had an especially impressive day by doubling back and placing third in the 3000 meter race.

When the meet was complete, AU had 26 athletes score points in the 16 various events led by 19 from junior Bobby Cooks. Cooks was one of five men's conference champions which included Jimmy Baeskens (5000 meter), Cooks (55 meter hurdles), Ryan Njegovan (shot put), Brandon Pichen (weight throw) and the Distance Medley Relay team of Christian Barajas, Khadeil Ergas, D.J. Wolfram and Nick Shaw.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES AND HONORS:
Six Spartans was NACC Individual Champions in five events.
- Bobby Cooks in the 55 meter hurdles.
- The Distance Medley Relay Team of Christian Barajas - Khadeil Ergas - DJ Wolfram - Nick Shaw.
- Ryan Njegovan in the shot put.
- Brandon Pichen in the weight throw.
 
Top Aurora University Men's Performance - Meet Results
^ - NACC Championship Meet Record
55 meter – Bobby Cooks (7th - 6.68)
55 Hurdles – Bobby Cooks (1st - 7.49)
200 meter – Terry Moore (3rd - 22.57)
400 meter – Terry Moore (2nd - 50.42)
800 meter – Jeremiah Cooley (2nd - 1:58.48)
Mile – Anthony Barrios (3rd - 4:24.34)
3,000 – Jimmy Baeskens (3rd - 9:04.30)
5,000 – Jimmy Baeskens (1st - 15:41.83)
4x400 Relay – Aurora A – Jaylen Robinson – Miroljub Marin – Jeremiah Cooley – Terry Moore (2nd - 3:26.37)
Distance Medley Relay – Aurora A – Christian Barajas - Khadeil Ergas - DJ Wolfram - Nick Shaw (1st - 11:01.60)
High Jump – Nick Majka (2nd - 1.93m)
Pole Vault – Brandon Davis (2nd - 4.25m)
Long Jump – Bobby Cooks (6th - 6.82m)
Triple Jump – Bobby Cooks (5th - 13.66m)
Shot Put – Ryan Njegovan (1st - 16.23m)^
Weight Throw – Brandon Pichen (1st - 18.19m)^
 
Next action for the Spartan men's track and field team comes on Friday, March 3 when they travel to the Gill Athletics Last Chance Meet hosted at Carthage College. Meet time is set for 4:00 p.m. in Kenosha, Wisconsin.