The Aurora University Women's Track and Field team competed at the IWU Coach Shoe Invitational at Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday. The Spartans placed fourth in the seven team field with a score of 43. Elmhurst University won the meet with 162 points.
 
The Spartan Milers had a strong start to the season as they took the top two spots in the event. N'Dya Fields won the race in 5:29.08, using her strong kick to pull away from the competition with a lap to go. Susi Martinez opened her sophomore track season in a big way, finishing close behind Fields in 5:30.00, a personal best.
 
Aurora's throwers had a great day in the field. Marisa Janecek finished runner-up in the shot put with a strong throw of 10.39m, a personal best by over a foot. Paige Chapin also scored, earning a mark of 9.72m for a fourth place finish. Paola Vargas placed ninth in the event with a 7.34m throw. The three Spartans kept their momentum going in the weight throw, where they combined for 14 points. Marisa Janecek earned another second place finish with a mark of 13.21m. Paola Vargas threw a personal best 11.49m to place fifth. Paige Chapin earned a seventh place finish with a throw of 10.70m.
 
Keyara Bailey scored in the high jump, clearing 1.50m for a fifth place finish. She also contested the long jump, where she finished ninth with a mark of 4.95m.
 
Mika Fields placed fifth in the 400-meter with a time of 1:03.40.
 
Up next, the Spartans will host the Aurora Grand Prix at Gately Indoor Track and Field in Chicago. The meet will take place on January 24th at 11:00 AM.