The Aurora University women's track team won the 2017 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted in Kenosha, Wisconsin (at Carthage College).  For the fifth consecutive season, the Spartan women won a very tough conference meet guided by some strong individual performances.

The AU women scored 194 points to win by 43 over the runner up Falcons of Concordia University Wisconsin. Spartan senior Taylor Jefford had a great day, finishing on the medal stand in three events, winning the 55 meter hurdles. Senior Lisa Rodriguez finished her indoor career winning three NACC titles, the 200 meter, 400 meter and was on the 4x400 meter relay. Junior Deterrica Simpkins won the 55 meter and led the 4x400 meter relay and finished second in the 200 meter.

Senior Lisa Rodriguez had a downright dominant day by winning the 200 and 400 meter races along with being a part of the first-place 4x400 meter relay squad, which also consisted of sophomore Alyssa May, senior Crystal Abernathy and junior Deterrica Simpkins. In addition to helping the relay win, Simpkins had a spectacular day by winning the 55 meter race and finishing second in the 200 meter race.
 
Junior thrower Hannah Meager had excellent performances in both the shot put and the weight throw by placing first and third respectively. The pole vault crew had strong performances across the board with all four athletes scoring led by junior Rebecca Moore who garnered a third place finish.
 
Sophomore Jackie Schane battled through a grueling triple with much success by achieving a third place finish in the 5000 meter race, fourth in the mile and second in the 3000 meter race. Senior Taylor Jefford had a tremendous day that showed off her versatility by winning the 55 meter hurdle in school record time, second in long jump and third in triple jump. For her efforts Taylor was awarded as the Female Athlete of the Meet.

When the meet was complete, AU had 25 athletes score points in the 16 various events led by 24 from Taylor Jefford, 20 individual and 30 overall from Lisa Rodriguez and 19 individual and 29 overall from Deterrica Simpkins. In all,17 Spartans earned medals on the day.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES AND HONORS:
Taylor Jefford was named NACC Athlete of the Meet
Head Coach Brandon Sturman was named Coach of the Year.
Six Spartans was NACC Individual Champions in eight events.
- Deterrica Simpkins in the 55 meter.
- Taylor Jefford in the 55 meter hurdles
- Lisa Rodriguez in the 200 and 400 meter.
- Hannah Meager in the shot put
- The 4x400 meter relay of Deterrica Simpkins, Crystal Abernathy, Alyssa May and Lisa Rodriguez
 
Top Aurora University Women's Performance - Meet Results
* - AU Record / ^ - NACC Championship Meet Record / % NACC Record
55 meter – Deterrica Simpkins (1st - 7.21)
55 Hurdles – Taylor Jefford (1st - 8.31)* ^ %
200 meter – Lisa Rodriguez (1st - 25.49)
400 meter – Lisa Rodriguez (1st - 58.69)^
800 meter – Jazzmine Reyes (2nd - 2:24.27)
Mile – Jessica Campbell (3rd - 5:23.33)
3,000 – Jackie Schane (1st - 10:41.21)
5,000 – Jackie Schane (1st - 17:42.61)
4x400 Relay – Aurora A – Deterrica Simpkins – Alyssa May - Lisa Rodriguez – Crystal Abernathy (1st - 4:09.14)
Distance Medley Relay – Aurora A – Aubrey Kelson - Erica Brown – Jazzmine Reyes – Emily Vanderwaal (3rd - 13:37.42)
High Jump – Destinee Haugabook (4th - 1.46m)
Pole Vault – Rebecca Moore (3rd - 3.20m)*
Long Jump – Taylor Jefford (2nd - 5.56m)
Triple Jump – Taylor Jefford (3rd - 10.92m)
Shot Put – Hannah Meager (1st - 12.74m)
Weight Throw- Hannah Meager (3rd - 14.53m)

Next action for the Spartan women'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.