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

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.