Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: One of the NAIA’s top returnees, junior Jaime Canterbury is among an elite group of contenders for the individual national title ... On the verge of posting her first-ever sub-18 time ... Has great strength and endurance ... Has developed into a team leader.

2006 (sophomore): Enjoyed one of the best seasons ever by a Cougar, earning NAIA All-America honors after finishing eighth at the NAIA Championship Meet with an 18:20 ... Finished in the top 10 in 4 of the 6 meets the Cougars ran, including the NAIA regional championship meet where she was sixth with an 18:15 ... Posted a personal best 18:13 at the Willamette Invitational in Salem, Ore., for the 11th best mark in program history ... Finished 3 5K races under 18:25.

2005 (freshman): Fashioned a fine 2005 rookie season, earning All-GSAC honors by finishing sixth at the conference meet ... Followed 2 weeks later by clocking a personal-best 5K of 18:50 at the NAIA regionals ... Ran a 19:41 at the NAIAs in Louisville, Ky. ... Was the Cougars’ No. 2 finisher in 5 of the 6 meets she ran.

TRACK & FIELD: Emerged as one of the NAIA’s better distance runners during her 2006 sophomore season, earning NAIA All-American honors in the 1500 after finishing second at the NAIA Outdoor Championships with a 4:30.43 ... Collected another All-America honor by anchoring the Cougars to a third place finish in the 4x800 (9:06.81) ... Also recorded NAIA indoor All-America efforts in anchoring the Cougars’ 4x800 and distance medley relays ... Late in the season, broke the school record in the 1500 and then did it again with a 4:25.69 ... Ranks among the Cougars’ all-time Top 5 in the 800 (2:11.47), 1500 (4:25.69) and 5000 (17:22.15).

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 3 seasons of track & field and cross country for head coach Rex Hall at state power Dana Hills High in Dana Point, Calif. … As a senior, named cross country's MVP and track's most valuable distance runner after leading the Dolphins to the South Coast League title … Named to Dana Hills' athletics hall of fame for earning 6 varsity letters and all-league recognition in 2 different sports … Had personal bests of 18:29 on the Mt. SAC course and 19:01 on the course at Fresno's Woodward Park.

PERSONAL: Born June 23, 1987, in Laguna Beach, Calif., to Norton (business owner) and Vicki Canterbury … Has a younger brother (Jeremy) and sister (Paige) … Majoring in psychology.

THIS YEAR: One of 5 freshmen to join the Cougars, Kayla Carstensen comes from a running family and has been well-trained throughout her life ... Will use the season as a developmental year as she adjusts to collegiate competition.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was home-schooled through Liberty Christian Academy ... Competed unattached in open road races and youth track & field meets.

PERSONAL: Born March 17, 1989, to Todd (electrical engineer) and Keena Carstensen ... Has 1 brother (Jared) and 2 sisters (Brianna, a former Cougar All-American in cross country and the holder of several Cougar track & field distance records, Diandra) ... Has not declared a major.

THIS YEAR: A rookie to collegiate cross country, freshman Travis Fernandes is the picture of the Azusa Pacific’s future ... Could develop into a team leader as his career unfolds ... Comes from a quality background.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of cross country and track & field for head coach Mike Wilson at Upland (Calif.) High ... Helped guide the Highlanders to a fifth-place finish at the 2006 state meet in Fresno, clocking a 5K time of 16:14 ... Ran a 15:59 in Upland’s fourth-place finish at the CIF Southern Section finals ... Earned All-Baseline League first team recognition during Upland’s league championship performance ... As a 2005 junior, was a member of Upland’s cross country team that finished seventh at the state meet ... Recorded personal high school bests of 4:24 (mile) and 15:19 (3 mile).

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 31, 1988, in Upland, Calif., to Azusa Pacific grads Val (general contractor) and Beth Fernandes ... His father was Azusa Pacific’s first-ever NAIA All-American first team honoree in soccer (1980) ... Has 1 sister (Marcella) ... His cousin, Melissa Leo, was a pole vaulter for Azusa Pacific women’s track & field in 2005 and 2006 ... Majoring in business.

THIS YEAR: One of 4 transfers to bolster the Cougar running attack, sophomore Kaylynn Gallo is a promising runner who will battle for a spot among the squad’s top 7.

VANGUARD: Competed at GSAC rival Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Calif., during her 2005 freshman season ... Appeared in 6 of the Lions’ 7 meets, recording a season-best 19:56 at the Willamette Invitational ... Ran a 20:07 at the NAIA Championship Meet in Louisville, Ky., where the Lions finished seventh as a team ... Spent the 2006 season attending classes at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., but did not compete in any sports.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of track & field and cross country at state power Fountain Valley (Calif.) High ... Competed for head coach Barry Miglorini ... Was a member of 3 state championship cross country teams ... Finished 46th with a 3-mile 19:15 at the state championship meet as a 2003 junior and 86th as a 2004 senior with a 19:51 ... Also played soccer

PERSONAL: Born June 10, 1987, in Huntington Beach, Calif., to Paulo Gallo ... Has 2 sisters (Samantha, Tara) ... Majoring in social work ... Would like to work with abused kids

THIS YEAR: An interesting newcomer to the Cougar distance program, freshman Stephanie Godfrey is in her first year ever running cross country ... Was impressive during summer workouts and figures to push for a key role among the Cougars’ scoring 5.

TRACK & FIELD: Began competing in track & field for the first time ever in the spring of 2007 as a member of Azusa Pacific’s NAIA national championship team ... Ran the 1500, steeplechase and 5000, clocking personal bests of 5:20.44, 12:54.81 and 20:05.30, respectively.

HIGH SCHOOL: Did not compete in any sports during her 3-plus years at Faith Bible High in Aloha, Ore. ... Rather spent 5 years as a competitive swimmer for the West Hills Aquatic Team (USA swimming) where she excelled in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke ... A knee injury ended her swimming career.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 17, 1988, in Portland, Ore., to Larry (electrical engineer) and Linda Godfrey ... Has 1 sister (Elizabeth) ... Her mother was a swimmer at Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich. ... Majoring in psychology.

THIS YEAR: A hurdler by trade, junior Kjersti Housman moves into her second season on the Cougar cross country team ... Is quite strong and is known for her endurance ... Could develop into a key performer as the season unfolds.

2006: In her first season running cross country, appeared in all 6 meets, posting a best of 19:31 at the NAIA Region II Championship Meet in Fresno, Calif. ... Also competed at the NAIA Championship Meet in Louisville, Ky., scoring as the fourth Cougar in Azusa Pacific’s ninth-place finish as a team.

TRACK & FIELD: Came to Azusa Pacific as a heptathlete but zeroed in on the 400 hurdles... Ran the third leg on the Cougars’ 2006 4x400 relay that finished second at the NAIA Indoor Championships to collect her first-ever All-American recognition ... Registered 2 more All-America honors during the 2007 season when she ran the third leg on the Cougars’ distance medley relay at the indoor championships and then the opening leg on the Cougars’ 4x800 relay that finished third at the outdoor championships ... Qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships in the 400 hurdles as both a freshman and sophomore, advancing to the finals in 2006.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 4 seasons in track & field and basketball (guard) at La Salle High, a college prep school in Pasadena, Calif. … In track, ran for coach Fred Riley and was a member of 4 straight Sunshine League championship teams … Holds the school record in the 300 hurdles (45.85) and has the No. 2 time in the 100 hurdles (16.40) … Also posted La Salle all-time top 5 bests in the long jump (15’ 9”), triple jump (32’ 7¾”) and high jump (5’ 0”) … As a 2004 senior was second in the 300 hurdles at the CIF Southern Section finals (Division IV) and was third as a 2002 sophomore … Was also a key member of La Salle’s 2002 CIF championship team that went undefeated.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 18, 1985, in Pasadena, Calif., to Kevin (real estate) and Lisa (therapist) Housman … Has 4 brothers (Nathan, Jason, Matt , Stephen) … Her dad was a 3-time all-conference football player at Occidental College and was the team MVP as a running back during his 1980 senior season (played against current Azusa Pacific women’s track coach Mike Barnett who was a linebacker on the 1979 and 1980 Cougar football teams) … Majoring in applied health and would like to go into the medical field … Took a missions trip to Thailand in the summer of 2004.

THIS YEAR: A focused and dedicated runner, freshman Becca Huffman could emerge as a key piece to the Cougar fortunes as the season unfolds ... Strong and determined which allows her to excel in the longer distances.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of track & field and cross country at Colorado Springs (Colo.) Christian High ... Was a 3-time competitor in the National Junior Olympics ... Finished seventh in the NJO 3000 (11:00) in 2007 and was a 2-event finalist in 2006, finishing fifth in the 3000 ... In cross country, was the Tri-Peaks League champion with a 19:21 5K during her 2006 senior season ... Was the team MVP as a 2003 freshman ... As a 2004 sophomore finished 32nd in the Colorado state 3A championship meet ... In track & field, holds the school records in the 1600 and 3200.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 14, 1988, in Arlington, Va., to Richard (lawyer) and Laura Huffman ... Has 3 sisters (Rachel, Susanna, Elizabeth) ... Majoring in exercise and sport science ... Would like to be professional marathon runner and personal trainer ... Enjoys performing community service.

THIS YEAR: One of 3 junior college transfers to join the Cougars (Reyes and Kipwambok are the others), Sara Ireland figures to compete for a spot among the Cougars’ top 7 ... Adds valuable collegiate experience to the squad.

MT. SAC: Ran 2 seasons of cross country and track & field for head coach Doug Todd at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. ... Posted personal bests of 19:50 in cross country (2005 at Woodward Park), 18:55 5K in track (2006) and 5:02 in the 1500 (2006) ... As a 2007 sophomore at the South Coast Conference Track & Field Championships, finished fifth in the 1500 (5:07.65) and sixth in the 10,000 (43:39.42)

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of cross country and track & field for head coach Mark McCown at Maranatha High in Pasadena, Calif. ... As a 2004 senior, was a key member of the Minutemen’s state championship (Division V) cross country team ... Clocked bests of 18:33 (at Rosemead) and 19:42 (at Mt. SAC). As a 2003 junior was the team’s No. 1 runner ... Was the No. 5 runner on the cross country team as a 2001 freshman ... In track & field, was the Olympic League 1600-meter champion as 2004 junior with a 5:42.6 run at Azusa Pacific ... Posted a personal best of 5:26.94 in the 1600.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 5, 1987, in Arcadia, Calif., to Bud (teacher) and Julie (teacher) Ireland ... Has an older sister (Rebecca) ... Majoring in liberal studies ... Wants to be a teacher.

THIS YEAR: One of the top newcomers to the NAIA, junior college transfer Jackline Kipwambok could push for All-America recognition in her initial season at Azusa Pacific ... Will team with Canterbury and Richert to give the Cougars an outstanding set of top 3 runners ... May need time to become competitively fit since she trained very little in the summer while recovering from a track injury ... Has 4 remaining seasons of cross country eligibility.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Ran one season of track & field at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kan. ... As a 2007 freshman was the NJCAA runner-up in the steeplechase (11:22.00) to help lead the Lady Tigers to a third place finish at the national junior college championship meet in Coffeyville, Kan. ... Also anchored Cowley’s 4x800 to a fourth-place finish ... Was the Jayhawk Conference champion in the 1500, 5000 and 10,000 and was named the NJCAA Region VI women’s track MVP of the championship meet after winning the 1500 and 10,000 while anchoring the 4x800 to the region title as well ... Set the school records in the steeplechase, 1500, 3000, 5000, 10,000 and 4x800.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 14, 1985, in Kapsabet, Kenya, to Wilson (farmer) and Leah (farmer) Kipwambok ... Has 5 brothers (Steve, Nick, Dary, Evan, Obadiah) and 3 sisters (Nattali, Silas, Jennifer) ... Majoring in nursing with a minor in applied health.

THIS YEAR: Junior Jenny Landis returns for her third season of cross country as a veteran leader ... Provides quality depth and experience ... Will push for a spot among the Cougars’ scoring 5.

2006 Appeared in all 6 meets the Cougars competed in during her 2006 sophomore campaign, posting a lifetime best of 19:59 on Fresno’s Woodward Park course to finish 46th at the NAIA regional championship meet ... Also ran at the NAIA national championship meet in Louisville, Ky., finishing with a 21:44 on the 5K course.

2005: In her first season of cross country, competed in 3 meets, posting a 5K best of 21:41 which she clocked at the GSAC meet.

TRACK & FIELD: Competed on Azusa Pacific’s track & field team the past 3 seasons, opening her career as a pentathlete during her 2005 freshman indoor season before moving on to the distance races ... Has competed in 5 NAIA Championship Meets, running legs on Azusa Pacific’s 4x800 relays that advanced to the finals at the 2006 NAIA indoor and outdoor championships ... … Owns lifetime bests of 2:18.53 (800m) and 4:57.84 (1500m).

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 2 seasons of cross country and 3 seasons of track & field at Arcadia (Calif.) High … Was a 2-time all-league second team honoree in both track and cross country … Named the team’s most improved as a junior and most inspirational as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born June 26, 1986, in Monrovia, Calif., to Richard (business manager) and Denise (teacher) Landis … Has 2 brothers (Michael, David) … Majoring in English and philosophy.

THIS YEAR: Sophomore Forrest Lewton could prove to be a key contributor as the season unfolds ... Hoping to build upon a 2007 track season in which he came on strong toward the end ... A durable runner and with a relentless competitive spirit ... Should benefit from a summer of training with All-American Aron Rono in Montana and Wisconsin.

TRACK & FIELD: Emerged as one of the Cougars’ stronger distance runners in his first semester with Azusa Pacific ... Qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships in the steeplechase but did not advance out of the prelims ... At the GSAC Championship Meet finished seventh in the steeplechase with a 9:53.16 ... Also advanced to the GSAC finals of the 1500 ... Clocked a personal-best 9:32.1 in the steeple at the Claremont Classic ... Also went 4:04.69 in the 1500 at the Oxy Invitational.

SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN: Ran one season of cross country at GSAC rival San Diego Christian where as a 2005 freshman he clocked a season-best 28:20 on an 8K course.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of track & field and 2 seasons of cross country at Whitehall (Mont.) High ... As a 2004 senior, earned all-state honors in cross country after finishing 12th in the state championship meet ... Later that year at the state track & field championship meet finished fourth in the mile (4:31.1) and fifth in the 2 mile ... Named the Trojans’ most valuable runner in both cross country and track & field ... Also played 2 seasons of varsity basketball and as a senior helped lead Whitehall to the state tournament ... Named the team’s defensive MVP ... Graduated as the school valedictorian ... Served as the junior class president.

PERSONAL: Born March 21, 1987, in San Diego, Calif., to John (taxidermist) and Dawn (real estate agen) Lewton ... Majoring in business ... Would like to start his own real estate agency some day ... Enjoys rock climbing and skiing.

THIS YEAR: Senior Caleb Lynch is one of the top cross country runners in the GSAC … Is a 2-time All-GSAC honoree ... Will press for his first-ever All-American recognition ... Has competed in 18 meets over the 3 previous seasons.

2006: Endured a sub-par 2006 junior campaign, finishing out of the running for all-conference honors for the first time in his career ... Finished 27th at the NAIA regional championship with a 25:54 on the Woodward Park course.

2005: Appeared in 6 of 7 meets for Azusa Pacific as a 2005 sophomore ... Capped a fine season with a great finish by being the top Cougar at the NAIA regionals (25:49) and NAIA championships (25:30) ... His time at the national championship meet is the 26th fastest 8K/5-mile in Cougar cross country history ... Clocked a 26:23 at the GSAC meet to finish fourth.

2004: Competed in all 6 of Azusa Pacific’s meets as a 2004 freshman and like nearly all his teammates, clocked his season-best 8K at the Riverside Invitational with a 25:30 … Captured All-GSAC recognition with an 11th place showing in the conference meet (26:47) … Also competed in the NAIA Championship Meet.

TRACK & FIELD: Is a 9-time NAIA All-American in track & field, which includes running legs the Cougars 4x800 relays that has won the past 3 NAIA outdoor titles ... Owns career bests of 48.91 (400), 1:19.75 (600), 1:51.53 (800, sixth best in program history) and 3:58.55 (1500) ... Put together a marvelous 2004 rookie season in which he captured 4 NAIA All-American honors and won the GSAC 800m (1:51.53), staging a terrific kick over the final 80 meters to defeat the defending champion … Was NAIA runner-up in the indoor 600m (1:19.92) and fifth in the outdoor 800m (1:53.40).

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of varsity track & field and cross country at Washington High in Phoenix, Ariz. … Named top 100 high school cross country runners on the west coast in 2003 by DyStatCal.com … Won 3 cross country meets during his senior season … Finished 12th in the 2003 state 4A championship meet with a 16:47 5K result … Was eighth as a junior in 2002 state meet with a 16:06 … In track & field as a 2004 senior, ran one of the top prep 800 meters in the nation, winning the Arcadia Invitational with a 1:52.23, the second-fastest half mile in Arizona high school history … Was a 2-time state 800-meter champion, winning the title as a 2002 sophomore and again as a 2004 senior (1:52.62) while finishing second as a 2003 junior … Was a 3-time regional champion in the 1600 … Holds the Glendale district record in the 400 (48.5 without starting blocks).

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 1, 1985, in Phoenix, Ariz., to John (pastor) and Stacey Lynch … Has 2 sisters (Amy, Carly) … His father was a standout baseball pitcher at Arizona State … Majoring in English.

THIS YEAR: A potential steal for Azusa Pacific, freshman Victoria Martinez is coming off a torn ACL suffered during her high school senior soccer season that kept her off the track this past spring and thus kept big-time schools from recruiting her ... Could emerge as one of the Cougars’ top runners for a team that is already strong ... How quick she gets her fitness up to par will be a key.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at Granite Hills High in Apple Valley, Calif. ... Was a 3-time All-Desert Sky League honoree in track & field and a 2-time All-CIF pick in soccer ... As a freshman, finished fourth in the CIF cross country finals and was eighth as a junior ... In track, was league champion in the 1600 and 3200 as a freshman ... In soccer, led Granite Hills to the CIF Division V championship as a junior ... Recorded bests of 5:07.67 (1600) ... Also ran an 18:49 in a cross country meet at Mt. SAC ... Missed all of her senior season with torn knee ligaments.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 28, 1989, in Victorville, Calif., to James and Tracey Martinez ... Has a younger sister (Meghan) ... Majoring in athletic training.

THIS YEAR: After a pleasantly surprising rookie season, sophomore Caleb Mesa is set for a breakthrough season in which he could push for All-American honors ... Teams with Rono and Lynch to give the Cougars a strong trio at the top.

2006: Fashioned the best season by any freshman in the GSAC during the 2006 season ... Appeared in all 6 meets run by the Cougars, and was the team’s No. 2 runner in 5 meets ... Earned All-GSAC honors, the only freshman to do so, after finishing 14th at the conference championship meet ... Opened eyes with a ninth-place showing at the Aztec Invitiational hosted by San Diego State ... In his first NAIA championship meet appearance, finished 77th with a 26:14 over the 8K course in Louisville, Ky.

TRACK & FIELD: Qualified for the both the NAIA Indoor (5000) and Outdoor (10,000) track & field championships during his freshman season ... Did not compete in the GSAC meet in Fresno ... Recorded season-bests of 3:57.96 (1500), 15:29:39 (5000) and 31:20.03 (10,000, seventh best in program history).

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of cross country and track & field for Benny Gooden at Etiwanda High in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., ... As a senior finished 25th at the CIF Southern Section Division I championship (15:45) and won the Colton Swarm Invitational 3-mile (15:40) ... Was fourth in the Baseline League Championship Meet (15:37) held at Glen Helen Park ... In track & field, finished fourth in both the 1600 (4:33.45) and 3200 (9:56.05) at the 2006 Baseline League Championship Meet in Claremont.

PERSONAL: Born March 7, 2006, in West Covina, Calif., to Diego (pastor) and Cindy (office manager) Mesa ... Has 1 brother (Nathan, an Azusa Pacific graduate) ... Majoring in theology with a minor in philosophy.

THIS YEAR A key figure in the Cougars’ hopes for 2007, junior John Pfeil has been a pleasant surprise who has emerged from the pack as a quality distance runner ... Expected to start the season much like he did last year, but this time carry it through the entire campaign ... Could push for All-GSAC.

2006: Appeared in 5 of the Cougars’ meets during his 2006 sophomore season ... Was the No. 3 Cougars at the Cal State Fullerton “Season Opener” with a 27:25 .. Season best was a 26:11 at the Willamette Invitational ... Recorded a 26:45 at the NAIA regional meet.

2005: Competed in 3 of 7 meets the Cougars ran in during his 2005 freshman season ... Recorded an 8K best of 28:16 at the Vanguard Invitational ... Was 51st at the GSAC Meet with a 29:11 ... Did not compete at the NAIA regional or championship meets.

TRACK & FIELD: Competed at both the NAIA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meets as an alternate in the preliminary rounds of the Cougar relay teams ... As a 2006 freshman, recorded career bests of 1:55.28 (800) and 3:59.01 (1500), narrowly missing the qualifying standard for the NAIA Outdoor Championship Meet in both events ... Also recorded a 16:01.78 (5000) ... On a lark, tried the 3000-meter walk for the first time ever and qualified for the event, finishing seventh (15:47.75) at the NAIA Indoor Championship Meet ... At the NAIA outdoors, ran on leg on the Cougars’ 4x800 relay during the prelims.

HIGH SCHOOL Ran 3 seasons of cross country and 1 season of track & field … Lettered 3 seasons in soccer and 4 in volleyball at Tri-City Christian High in Vista, Calif. … Named All-CIF as a 2002 sophomore, 2003 junior and 2004 senior for cross country … Helped lead his team to the CIF championship as a sophomore and senior and a runner-up finish as a junior … Set the school record in the 3200 (16:24) as a senior … In volleyball, received the coaches award as a junior and senior as well as named All-Coastal Conference as a 2004 senior as well as Athlete of the year … Named MVP and all-league as a 2004 senior in soccer.

PERSONAL Born on June 22, 1987, in San Diego, Calif., to Jim and Carol Pfeil … Has 1 brother (Kevin) and 2 sisters (Kelly, Katie) … Majoring in business … Enjoys martial arts.

THIS YEAR: An impact newcomer, junior Becca Reyes figures to push for possible all-conference honors and be a factor should the Cougars qualify for the NAIA championship meet.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Ran 2 seasons of cross country and track & field at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. ... Was a 2-time all-state honoree in cross country, finishing ninth as a freshman at the 2005 state meet to capture first-team recognition, then garnering second-team honors after finishing 19th (19:14) at the 2006 state meet at Woodward Park ... Clocked a personal best of 2:17 in the 800.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was home-schooled through San Luis Christian Academy in San Luis Obispo and did not run cross country or track & field.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 9, 1987, in San Luis Obispo, Calif., to Serio (engineer) and Nancy (clerk) Reyes ... Has 1 brother (Sergio, the 2002 NAIA 10,000-meter champion at Cedarville College in Ohio) and 3 sisters (Melissa, Christian, Jessica) ... Majoring in business.

THIS YEAR: Rocky Richardson is an outstanding newcomer who could prove to be one of the top freshmen in the GSAC ... Has great speed but is also quite strong ... Figures to be consistently among the Cougars’ top 7 ... Could push for postseason honors.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 2 seasons of cross country and 4 years of track & field for head coach Rich Parris at Madera (Calif.) High ... As a senior, finished 19th at the Division I state cross country championship meet with a 15:40 over the 5K course and was third in the CIF central section finals with a 16:01 ... Finished 16th out of nearly 500 runners at the 2006 Nike Team National in Portland, Ore. ... In track & field was a 2-time CIF central section 800-meter champion ... Set the school 800-meter record with a 1:52.24, the seventh best time in CIF central section history ... As a junior, won the 2006 Arcadia Invitational 800 with a 1:54.46 and came back as a 2007 senior to finish fifth with a 1:52.95 in the invitational portion of the Arcadia Invitational ... Also clocked a 4:14.77 in the 1600 ... Named to the Fresno Bee 2007 All-Star Track & Field Team.

PERSONAL: Born Nathaniel Richardson Sept. 7, 1988, in Santa Clara, Calif., to Doreth Larmar ... Is the cousin of Lee Evans, the record-setting Olympic gold medal 400-meter sprinter of the 1968 Mexico City games.

THIS YEAR: Senior Olivia Richert teams with All-American Jaime Canterbury to give Azusa Pacific an outstanding set of 2 runners at the top ... Quite experienced on the national level having appeared in 3 NAIA cross country meets, 3 NAIA indoor track & field meets and 3 NAIA outdoor track & field meets ... Has displayed steady improvement each year giving rise to the thought that this could be an All-America season.

2006: Appeared in all 6 of the Cougars’ meets as a 2006 junior, posting a career-best of 18:28 at the Willamette Invitational ... Legitimized that time with an 18:32 on the Woodward Park course in Fresno, Calif., to finish 11th at the NAIA regional meet ... Was the Cougars’ No. 2 runner in 3 meetings, including the NAIA Championship Meet in Louisville, Ky., where she finished 59th overall with a 19:09.

2005: Started his 2005 sophomore season slow but came on in the final 2 meets, looking like her former self of the 2004 season ... Posted a 5K season-best 19:13 to finish 19th at the NAIA regional meet in Fresno ... 2 weeks later finished 92nd at the NAIA Championship Meet by running a 19:16 ... Ran in 6 of the Cougars’ 7 meets.

2004: Appeared in all 6 meets and captured All-GSAC honors (1 of just 4 freshmen to do so) as a 2004 freshman, finishing 12th with a 19:31 5K at Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif. … Came back 4 weeks later to post a 19:30 to finish 84th at the NAIA Championship Meet in Louisville, Ky. … Had a season-best 19:01 at the Riverside Invitational.

TRACK & FIELD: Is a 5-time NAIA All-American and is coming off the finest track & field season of her career, one in which she collected her first individual All-America honor, finishing fifth in the 1500 at the NAIA Outdoor Championship Meet ... Owns the fourth fastest 1500 in school history at 4:34.79.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of track & field and cross country at Arapahoe High in Littleton, Colo. … Was a 4-time all-league and 3-time all-region first team honoree … Competed in 4 Colorado 5A cross country state championship meets, finishing in the top 40 3 different years … As a senior at the state 5A track & field meet, finished ninth in the 3,200 with an 11:50.58.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 28, 1986, in Denver, Colo., to John (real estate) and Barbara Richert … Has 1 sister (Kathryn) … Majoring in communication … Involved in FCA and Young Life in high school … Enjoys snowboarding and hang gliding.

THIS YEAR: Perhaps the premier distance runner in the NAIA, All-American junior Aron Rono is looking to build on a fabulous 2006 campaign ... Will push to become the first Cougar ever to win an NAIA individual cross country championship ... Is coming off a great summer of training and if healthy, will threaten course records throughout the year.

2006: Won the first 5 meets he ran as a Cougar, the most victories ever in a season by a Cougar ... Only meet he didn’t win was the NAIA championship, finishing third (24:35 -- best showing ever by a Cougar) after succumbing to a side stitch early in the race ... Won the NAIA regional title after setting the Woodward Park course record with a 23:47 8K ... Became the fourth Cougar ever to win the GSAC crown, clocking a 24:21 to win by 22 seconds ... Also won the Cal State Fullerton Season Opener (24:48), the San Diego State “Aztec Invitational” (24:27), the Willamette Invitational (23:43).

LINDENWOOD: Competed at NAIA member Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Mo., during his 2005 freshman season ... Was the NAIA runner-up at the national championship meet in Louisville, Ky., clocking a 23:55 to finish second behind then teammate and fellow Kenyan Siomo Kiplagat (23:49) ... Was also second to Kiplagat at the NAIA regional meet, running a 23:59.

TRACK & FIELD: In track & field, is a 5-time NAIA champion, capturing a trio of title during the 2007 season at Azusa Pacific ... Won 2 indoor titles by taking the mile (4:06.91) and the 5000 (14:22.45) ... At the outdoor meet in Fresno, Calif., successfully defended his 10,000 title (30:47.25) ... At Lindenwood in 2006, was a 2-time NAIA champion ... At the indoor championships, won the mile (4:11.37) and was second in the 3000 (8:24.33) ... Nearly pulled off a unique double victory at the NAIA Outdoor Championships, first winning the 10,000 meters (29:43.34) before coming back 2 nights later to finish second in the 5000 (14:32.38).

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Kurgung Boys High School in Kapsabet, Kenya.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 1, 1982, in Kenya to Jackson (farmer) and Leah (farmer) Towei ... Is 1 of 9 brothers ... Older brother, Julius Randich, is a former 7-time NAIA champion out of Lubbock Christian University and current record holder in the NAIA 5000 (13:41.81) and 10,000 (28:16.95) ... Majoring in political science.

THIS YEAR: One of the NAIA’s top 800-meter runners in track & field, senior Jason Zichterman returns to cross country for the first time in 5 years ... Has not run a 5K trail course since his 2002 junior year in high school ... Should develop into a key contributor as the season unfolds.

TRACK & FIELD: In his first year at Azusa Pacific, immediately became a force for the Cougars, collecting 5 NAIA All-America honors and playing key role in the Cougars winning the 2007 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championship ... At that meet in Johnson City, Tenn., finished sixth in the 600 (1:19.95) and ran the third leg on the Cougars’ 4x400 (finished sixth with a 3:17.94) and 4x800 (finished third with 7:39.98) ... At the NAIA outdoor championships in Fresno, Calif., was an All-American in the 800 (sixth with a 1:52.12), and 4x800 (ran second leg for the national championship quartet that clocked a 7:30.70) ... Was the Golden State Athletic Conference champion in the 800 (1:55.08) ... Came to Azusa Pacific after running 3 seasons of track & field at the University of Colorado ... Had to overcome a pair of arthroscopic knee surgeries during his sophomore and junior seasons ... Posted career-bests of 1:50.18 in the 800 and 48.52 in the 400 during his 2004 freshman campaign ... Clocked an indoor 800 best of 1:50.32, while finishing third at the 2005 Big 12 championships.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of track for head coach Bob Howard at Gunison (Colo.) High where as a 2003 senior he teamed with current Cougar Matt Sparks to lead the Cowboys to the state 3A championship ... Was a 5-time state champion between the 400, 800, 4x400 and 4x800 and 9-time all-state honoree ... In cross country, twice finished tenth in the state championship meet ... Also earned 2 varsity letters in basketball.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 7, 1985, in Estes Park, Colo., to Phil and Jan Zichterman, both of whom work with the U.S. National Park Service ... Has a younger brother (Patrick) ... Majoring in political science.