The 2024-2025 athletic seasons culminated with one of the most successful years in the history of Aurora University Athletics. With the achievement comes the recognition of the athletes that made the success possible, starting with the Aurora University Female Athlete of the Year. The award, as voted on by staff members of the AU Athletic Department, will be presented to senior women's cross country and track and field student-athlete Deedee Colon Maldonado and junior women's wrestling student-athlete Alexis Janiak.

Colon Maldonado wrapped up a tremendous career with a strong senior season on the course for the cross country and track and field programs. Her Spartan Female Athlete of the Year honor follows being named the Spartan Woman of the Year. 

The most decorated runner in AU cross country and track and field program history, Colon Maldonado repeats as the AU Female Athlete of the Year which adds to her 10 All-American honors and five time Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Athlete of the Year award spanning cross country (2023, 2024), indoor track and field (2024, 2025), and outdoor track and field (2024). She holds nine AU and seven NACC records in the three sports she competed in.

Janiak had a tremendous season as a junior, becoming the first Aurora University female student-athlete to win a National Championship when she won the 131-bracket at the 2024-2025 NCWWC Nationals. She would finish the season with a 29-1 overall record and earn All-American honors following the national championship victory. 

She wrestled her way to a CCIW individual championship earlier in the season and will represent the United States once again as part of the US National Team at the U20 World Championships.