SALEM, Ore. – Aron Rono was sensational, and the women he trains with were stunning.

Azusa Pacific’s nationally-ranked cross country teams sparkled during the 32nd Charles Bowles Invitational, hosted by Willamette University at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem, Ore. Rono won the men’s individual 8K race with a school-record performance, and the Azusa Pacific women, which came into the meet ranked No. 11 in the NAIA, finished fourth overall and in the process knocked off teams ranked ahead of them.

Rono moved to 3-for-3 in his Cougar career. A transfer from Lindenwood University and last year’s NAIA runner-up, Rono won his third straight race as a Cougar, adding today’s win to his collection of other victories earlier this year at Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State. In the process of wining at Willamette, Rono became the first Cougar ever to run a sub-23 8K race, registering a sizzling 23:44 to break Duane Waltmire’s 31-year record of 24:04.

“I thought the record might be in trouble coming into the race,” said Cougar coach Preston Grey. “This is a course that would allow Aron to run an excellent time.”

For the Azusa Pacific women, six of the 7 top Cougar runners posted personal records in what Grey termed a “monster performance.” The Cougars ran well above any other performance they had displayed earlier in the year.

“Our goal was to move into the Top 10 in the nation, and I think we did that today,” said Grey, whose Cougar women out-performed No. 5-ranked British Columbia and along the way downed Point Loma Nazarene, Lewis-Clark State and Westmont, also nationally-ranked teams.

Jaime Canterbury fnished 11th out 298 runners with a personal-best 18:13, shaving 37 seconds off her previous 5K best of 18:50.

Senior Whitney Jacobsmeyer clocked an 18:23 to finish 17th. Like Canterbury, Olivia Richert posted a personal best with an 18:28 to come in 21st.

However, it was sophomore Abi Lillich who made the difference for the Cougars, running her first-ever sub-20, registering a 19:31 which was the difference in Azusa Pacific finishing fourth and edging rival Point Loma Nazarene.

"Abi was the hero of the day," said Grey. "She ran very, very well."

The Cougar, who are ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, men finished fifth overall, beating No. 6 Concordia (Ore.).

Following Rono's lead, freshman Caleb Mesa clocked a 25:28 to finish 38th. Senior Peter Sherman, who struggled in the first 2 meets of the season, looked sharp at Willamette, posting his best time of the year at 25:31 to place 42nd.

Azusa Pacific now take 3 weeks off and return to the course Saturday, Oct. 21, at the 21st annual GSAC Championship Meet at Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif. First race is set for 4 p.m.