The Aurora University women's track and field team competed at the Wheaton Don Church Twilight Invitational on Saturday, April 20th. The Spartans placed fourth out of 14 teams with a score of 81 points. 

Deedee Colon Maldonado once again broke her own school record in the 1500 meter run, winning the event with a time of 4:31.01. This new Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference record is currently ranked eighth in the nation. Maldonado also ran a personal record of 1:01.29 in the 400 meter dash, which is ninth in school history. She concluded her day of competition with the 800 meter run, placing third with a PR of 2:18.48. This time is third in school history, and currently ranks second in the NACC. 

Lauren Bliefernicht was meet champion in the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash, running PRs in both events. Her time of 12.11 in the 100 meter dash is currently leading the NACC, and ranked 24th in the nation. This performance improves on the third best time in school history. Bliefernicht ran 24.98 in the 200 meter dash, dipping under 25 for the first time. This performance is currently leading the NACC, and ranked 31st in the nation. This performance improves on the fourth best time in school history. Bliefernicht also ran a leg on the Spartan 4x100 meter relay. The squad of Ari Mack, Bliefernicht, Grace Bielfuss, and Mary Dietz ran a season best time of 49.36 to place second at the meet. This time currently leads the NACC. 

Abby Liesen won the 3000 meter steeplechase with a 25-second PR of 11:36.56. This time currently leads the NACC, and is a new fourth best time in school history. 

Madison Etheridge ran a PR in the 1500 meter run, placing fifth with a time of 4:50.96. This time improves on the seventh best time in school history. She also placed third in the 3000 meter run with a time of 10:47.89. This time is fourth in school history. 

Freshman Emma Jasutis made her steeplechase debut, placing sixth with a time of 12:31.59. This is the ninth fastest time in school history. 

Other scorers of the meet:
Savannah Vasquez: 5000 meter run (5th- 19:08.03), 1500 meter run (8th- 4:58.25)
Mika Fields, N'dya Fields, Shaley Gonzalez, Ana Ponce: 4x400 meter relay (4th- 4:31.19)
Faustyna Karpiesiuk: Triple Jump (6th- 9.66m)
Silja Erickson: Shot Put (8th- 11.94m)

Complete results can be found here. 

Up next, the Spartans compete at the Drake Relays. Competition begins on Wednesday, April 24th.