The Vikings have enjoyed a run of success unprecedented in the history of the Lawrence softball program. Under the leadership of head coach Kim Tatro, a five-time Midwest Conference Coach of the Year, the Vikings won three conference championships from 1997-99. The Vikings' regular season, beginning with indoor workouts in February, includes doubleheader meetings with each of the four other schools in their division. The top two teams in the North and South divisions qualify for a two-day, double-elimination Midwest Conference Tournament to determine the league champion and award the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. In March, during spring break, the Vikings travel to Florida for a week of games and practice. In 1998 and 1999, Lawrence played in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in school history. Lawrence played in the Midwest Conference Tournament five consecutive years from 2002-06, winning the North Division championship in 2002, 2003, and 2005.