Last season, NIU track and field’s Janay Mitchell battled injuries which kept her from competing.

This season, the Teaneck, N.J., native is healthy and ran her way to the #10 spot in the Northern Star Top 10 Athletes of 2011-12.

“There are a lot of athletes here at NIU,” Mitchell said. “To make the top 10 is a good feeling.”

During the indoor track season, the junior won five event titles and never finished below fifth in the prelims or finals of any event.

At the UCF Black and Gold Challenge, Mitchell set her personal best in both the 100 and 200 meter races.

Mitchell was part of the 4×100 team that won an event title and broke the facility record at the Chicagoland Championships.

During the Lee Calhoun Invitational April 14th, Mitchell won both the 100 and 200 meter races, adding more titles to her unbelievable season.

Mitchell attributed her success this season to more intense practices and an increase in weight lifting.