Cougar Athletics
32 NAIA National Championships
101 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: With a year of collegiate experience to her credit, sophomore Sarah Burney has emerged as a promising swimmer who figures to score for the Cougars on the national level ... Primary stroke is the breast and is likely to qualify for nationals in the 100 and 200 breasts ... Is naturally gifted and has a better understanding of training which should translate into much faster times.

2009 (freshman): As a member of Azusa Pacific's first-ever swim team, qualified for the NAIA Championship Meet in both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke ... Did not advance out of the prelims ... Posted the second-fastest 200 breast in the program with a 2:27.92 in a home meet in February ... Clocked a 33.77 in the 50 breast at an early-season meet in Oakland ... Also competed in the 100- and 200-yard individual medley.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed 4 seasons for head coach Brian Herbelin at Alta Loma(Calif.) High ... Led the Braves to 4 Baseline League titles and a combined 4-year overall record of 55-5 ... Was a 4-time Baseline League finalist and as a 2008 senior was a member of Alta Loma's 200 medley relay that advanced to the CIF finals.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 11, 1989, in Upland, Calif. ... Parents are Eric (real estate broker) and Kim Burney ... Has 2 brothers (Joel, Joshua) and a sister (Rachel) ... Majoring in economics with a concentration in international development ... Would like to start a nonprofit ministry ... Plays the drums and piano.

BURNEY BESTS at AZUSA PACIFIC

Year  50 Free   50 Fly   50 Back  50 Breast  100 Breast   200 Breast    100 IM    200 IM
2009   28.47     33.33    37.36     33.77      1:10.46      2:27.92    1:12.84   2:34.37

THIS YEAR: Freshman Maegan Collett joins Azusa Pacific with a key role in relays with the backstroke ... Should qualify for the NAIA Championship Meet ... Butterfly and backstroke are her best events ... Noted for her work ethic.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in 4 seasons of varsity swim for head coach Tom Clark at Gilroy (Calif.) High ... Captained the Mustangs as a 2009 senior ... At the Central Coast Sectionals Championship Meet, placed 34th (1:02.19) in the 100-yard butterfly and 38th (1:03.70) in the 100-yard backstroke as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born March 28, 1991, in San Jose, Calif. ... Parents are John and Jennifer Collett ... Has 1 younger brother (Kyle, 16) and 1 younger sister (Christina, 14).

THIS YEAR: Sophomore sprinter Carrie Dotson excels in the highly competitive short free events and offers the Cougars great depth in the relays ... Has been able to establish a training schedule around her demanding academic schedule that should allow her a full season of training which in turn will help her lower her times.

2009 (freshman): As a 2009 freshman, competed at the NAIA championships in the 25-yard freestyle but did not advance to the finals, finishing 30th with a personal-best 25.67 ... Also clocked a personal-best of 57.03 in the 100 free at the NAIAs ... Swam the opening leg on the Cougars' 200 freestyle relay that finished ninth (1:39.75) ... Finished fifth in the 200 free with a season-best 2:12.87 at the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference time trials

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 3 seasons in swimming at Richland (Wash.) High ... As a 2007 junior, was a member of the 200-free relay that took fourth in the state championship meet with a time of 1:41.36 ... Served as team captain for 1 season ... Graduated in 2008 as class valedictorian.

PERSONAL: Born May 10, 1989, in Colorado Springs, Colo. ... Parents are Paul (construction manager) and Gail Dotson ... Has 3 sisters (Amy, Liz -- currently a freshman diver for the Cougars, Gretchen) ... Nursing major ... Has been involved in short-term mission trips ... Plays the violin ... Enjoys horseback riding and reading.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Kassandra Duncan enters her first season in the Cougar diving program ... Is full of potential ... Has a lot of body awareness which will come in handy for diving ... Dove NAIA qualifying scores in high school and is expected to qualify the NAIA Championship Meet.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in 4 seasons of varsity diving at Laguna Creek High in Elk Grove, Calif., under head coach Michelle Fennel ... Captained the Cardinal diving team as a 2009 senior ... Placed first at the Delta League Championships as a senior and 2008 junior ... Qualified to CIF sections all 4 years, advancing to the finals as a 2006 freshman and junior.

PERSONAL: Born April 24, 1991, in San Jose, Calif., to Karen Duncan (teacher) ... Has 1 older brother (Kris, 24) and 2 older sisters (Kari, 31, and Kim, 29) ... Majoring in history and political science, concentrating on pre-law.

THIS YEAR: Junior college transfer Malia Garcia returns to the pool after taking a year and is expected to be a key contributor as the season unfolds ... Excels in the butterfly but is also rated strong in the individual medley ... Likely to qualify for NAIAs ... Known for her tenacity and hard work.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Swam 2 seasons for head coach Terry Stoddard at Pasadena (Calif.) City College ... Was a 2-time team MVP and South Coast Conference champion in the 200-yard individual medley ... Was also a 2-time qualifier for the state junior college championship meet, finishing fourth in the 50 fly and fifth in the 100 fly as a 2007 freshman ... Set the school record in the 50- (27.09) and 100- (1:00.02) fly ... Given PCC's Lee-Turnbaugh Leadership Award in 2008.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 3 seasons in swimming & diving at Schurr High in Montebello, Calif. ... Was a 3-time CIF finalist, including her 2006 senior year when she set the Almont League record in the 100-yard butterfly ... Was a 5-time Almont League champion.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 23, 1989, in Whittier, Calif. ... Parents are Ralph (occupational therapist) and Yo (executive assistant) Garcia ... Majoring in applied health with a minor in psychology ... Has a younger sister (Simone, a member of the Cougar swimming & diving program) ... Wants to be a physical therapist ... Spent a year as an assistant swim coach at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada, Calif.

THIS YEAR: A promising rookie, freshman Simone Garcia is a sparkplug of a swimmer who can compete in a variety of events ... Very durable and tough ... Should emerge of a key contributor as the season unfolds and as she adjusts to college workouts ... Likely to excel in the butterfly and breaststroke ... Could prove to be one of the finest swimmers in program history over the course of her collegiate career.

HIGH SCHOOL: Swam 4 years for head coach Tony Moreno at Schurr High in Montebello, Calif. ... Was a 3-time CIF finalist and was the CIF runner-up in the 200-yard individual medley as a 2008 junior ... Was a 7-time Almont League champion, setting the league records in the 200 IM (2:11.40) and 100 butterfly (59.57) ... Was the 2008 Schurr Swimmer of the Year after qualifying for the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet ... Also named team MVP as a 2006 freshman, sharing the honor with her sister, Malia ... Qualified for but was unable to compete in the CIF finals as a 2009 senior.

PERSONAL: Born April 18, 1991, in Whittier, Calif., to Ralph (occupational therapist) and Yo (executive assistant) Garcia ... Has an older sister (Malia, member of the Cougar swimming & diving team) ... Majoring in business administration with an emphasis in international business ... Would like to go into merchandising ... Enjoys surfing, snowboarding and fashion ... Competed 3 years in Hawaii's Waikiki Roughwater Swim, a 2.4-mile event in which she took third place as a 15-year old (15-18 age group) and again in 2008 as a 17-year old.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Victoria Gibb enters her first season of the Cougar swimming team with potential of being a top scoring freshman ... Will compete in the free style and fly ... A seasoned swimmer with a lot of speed and a competitive spirit that will drive her to do well.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 4 seasons in swimming at St. Lucy Priory High in Glendora, Calif., under head coach Scott Poet ... Captained the Regents to its fourth consecutive Sierra League team title as a 2009 senior ... Named to the All-Area Swim Team by the San Gabriel Tribune as a senior and junior.

PERSONAL: Born June 15, 1991 ... Mother is Sara Gibb (photo technician) ... Cousin Matt Moeslein played baseball at John Carroll Catholic University and cousin Rich Moeslein played baseball at Allegheny College ... Has not yet declared a major ... Enjoys photography.

THIS YEAR: The workhorse of the team, All-American Kaylen Hewko is a versatile swimmer who excels in a variety of events ... Is likely to max out her qualification for the NAIA championships, swimming in 3 individual events and each relay ... Has the strength and tenacity to swim the long events but the speed to win sprints as well ... Is the leader of the team ... Vocal and energetic.

2009 (sophomore): Became the standard by which all other Cougar swimmers will be judged in the future, setting school records in 7 individual and 5 relay events ... Became Azusa Pacific's first-ever NAIA All-American, capturing honors in the 200-yard butterfly (national runner-up with a 2:06.37) and the 1650-yard freestyle (third with a 17:17.16) ... Finished fourth in the 100 fly (58.27) ... Also set the school in the 500-yard freestyle (5:21.28), 200-yard backstroke (2:17.85) and 200-yard individual medley (2:23.50) ... Anchored the Cougars top times in the 200 free (1:39.75) and 400 free (3:40.35) relays, both clocked at the NAIAs in St. Charles, Mo.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Competed for 1 season at Santa Ana (Calif.) College under coach John Wright ... Recorded best season times of 5:12.16 in the 500 freestyle, 1:56.41 in the 200 freestyle, and 59.38 in the 100 butterfly ... Won the Orange Empire Conference Championship in the 100 butterfly.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 4 seasons in swimming for coach Jim Sprague at Rosary High in Fullerton, Calif. ... Won the 200 freestyle competition for the Sierra League with a time of 1:53.47 ... Was a 4-time All-American ... Served as team captain for 3 seasons.

PERSONAL: Born March 17, 1988 in Laguna Beach, Calif. ... Parents are Daniel (financer) and Leticia Hewko ... Has 2 brothers (Adam, Luke) and 2 sisters (Audrey, Kristie) ... Majoring in nursing.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Alyssa Hickman is a promising newcomer to the Cougar swimming program ... Noted for a great work ethic ... Expected to qualify for the NAIA Championship Meet ... Should be a key contributor by her junior and senior seasons.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in 4 seasons of varsity swim at Dobson High in Mesa, Calif., under head coach Leah Ruanne ... Captained the Mustangs to a sixth-place finish at the CIF Championship Meet as a 2008 senior ... Also lettered 4 seasons in lacrosse.

PERSONAL: Born March 11, 1991 ... Parents are Don (advisor) and Sonja (customer service) Hickman ... Has 1 younger brother (Connor, 13) and 1 older sister (Courtney, 21) ... Majoring in business with a minor in Spanish ... Enjoys art.

THIS YEAR: One of the leaders of the team, junior Karla Hill is an experienced swimmer who is strong in the distance races ... Primarily swims the freestyle, and is expected to push for NAIA qualification in the 1650-yard free style.

2009 (sophomore): Returned to swimming after a 2-year layoff and was 1 of 11 Cougars to qualify for their first-ever NAIA championship meet ... Finished 19th in the 200 free (1:59.93) and swam in the prelims of the 500 free, finishing 27 (5:27.66 ) out of 50 competitors ... Swam legs on 4 relays, the opening 800 freestyle (the Cougars finished tenth), third leg of the 200 free (ninth with school-record 1:39.75), second leg of the 400 free (eighth with school-record 3:40.35) and the anchor on the 400 medley (sixth with school-record 4:02.84) ... Set the school record in the 25-yard freestyle (12.16) and 1000-yard freestyle (11:34.16) ...

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned 6 varsity letters in 3 different sports at Liberty High in Brentwood, Calif. ... Competed 4 varsity seasons for head swim coach Erica Panne as a distance swimmer ... Recorded a 3:53.05 in the 400-free relay with fellow Lion teammates as a 2006 senior ... Served as captain her senior season ... Also participated in 2 seasons of varsity water polo and 1 season of cross country.

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 14, 1987, in Rentan, Wash. ... Parents are Phil (pastor) and Wanda (teacher) Hill ... Has 2 brothers (Nathan, T.J.) ... Majoring in applied exercise science.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Amie Kaczmarski comes to Azusa Pacific with a reputation as a very hard worker ... An all-around swimmer who can do all the strokes ... Can compete in shorter distance events, but is stronger in longer events ... Should be one of the Cougars' best in 1000- and 1650-yard freestyle.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 4 seasons in swimming at Cornerstone Christian School in Wildomar, Calif. ... Competed in the CIF Championship Meet as a 2009 senior in the 200 IM and 200 free ... Set the school record for 200 fly and 400 IM as a 2008 junior and the 1650 free record as a 2007 sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 6, 1991, in Orange, Calif. ... Parents are John and Maureen Kaczmarski ... Has 1 older brother (Ian, 29) ... Both mother and father attended Azusa Pacific ... Majoring in theatre with a minor in marketing.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Malerie Morgan is a promising newcomer who returns to swimming after not competing on the collegiate level last year while attending classes at Cal State San Bernardino ... Should be one of the Cougars' best in the backstroke, and could push for NAIA Championship Meet qualification in backstroke events.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in 4 seasons of varsity swim at Upland High School under head coach Cody Bell ... Placed sixth (1:06.03) in the 100 backstroke at the Mt. SAC Invitational as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 14, 1990, in Fontana, Calif. ... Parents are Steve and Bea Morgan ... Majoring in political science with a pre-law concentration ... Plans on attending law school after earning her bachelor's degree ... Enjoys cliff jumping in her spare time.

THIS YEAR: A stabilizing presence on the team, senior Patti Navarro is an experienced swimmer who excels in the butterfly and individual medley races ... Expected to qualify for the NAIA Championship Meet ... Is 1 of 3 captains on the team.

2009 (junior): As a 2009 junior finished 23rd (5:13.72) in the 400-yard IM and 28th (2:26.38) in the 200-yard butterfly at the NAIA Championship Meet ... At the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championship Meet, placed 33rd (2:34.54) in the 200-yard butterfly and 34th (5:33.42) in the 400-yard IM.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Was a 2-sport athlete at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, Calif. ... Competed in butterfly, IM, and freestyle medley for head swim coach Mike Santos ... Posted best times of 2:27.49 in the 200-yard IM as a 2008 sophomore ... Finished second at the Southern California Championship in the 100-yard backstroke with a personal best time of 1:05.42 ... Also competed for coach Mike Santos in water polo for 2 seasons ... Served as team captain for 1 season in both sports.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 4 seasons in swimming for head coach Peter Kim at Crescenta Valley High in La Crescenta, Calif. ... Served as the Falcons' team captain for 1 season ... Earned the coaches award as a 2005 senior and 2003 sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born Feb. 10, 1987, in Van Nuys, Calif. ... Mother is Linda Navarro ... Has 1 brother (Steven) and 1 sister (Pam) ... Sister played water polo at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, Calif. ... Majoring in nursing ... Enjoys camping and reading.

THIS YEAR: A returnee, sophomore Diana Shirley is a developing veteran who will focus on the freestyle during the 2010 season.

2009 (freshman): As a 2009 freshman placed 59th (1:22.84) in the 100 butterfly at the PSAC Championship Meet ... Posted other season bests of 30.87 (50 free), 100 free (1:07.65), 200 free (2:32.28) and 36.57 (50 fly)

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 2 seasons in swimming at Yuba City (Calif.) High ... Recorded a personal-best time of 2:09.18 in the 200 freestyle medley as a 2008 senior ... Was a member of back-to-back Tri-Country League and Sac-Joaquin Section championship team s... Competed in 2 varsity seasons of cross country at Faith Christian High in Yuba City ... Placed 28th in the CIF San Joaquin Cross Country Section meet with a time of 31:19 as a 2005 sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 28, 1991, in Yuba City, Calif. ... Parents are Curtis (computer programmer) and April (community director) Shirley ... Majoring in journalism ... Would like to become a magazine editor or screenwriter after graduation ... Enjoys surfing and going on mission trips.

THIS YEAR: One of 9 freshmen to join the Cougar program, Haley Steven has a promising future ahead of her and could prove to an NAIA qualifier as the season unfolds ... Excels in the breaststroke but could be a factor for Azusa Pacific in the individual medley.

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in 3 varsity seasons in swimming for head coach Travis Dyer at Edison High in Fresno, Calif. ... As a 2009 senior won the County/Metro Athletic Conference 100 breaststroke title ... Finished 12th in the 100 breast (1:13.03) at the CIF championships ... Named team MVP as a 2008 junior ... Also earned 3 varsity letters in water polo (wing).

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 31, 1991, in Fresno, Calif. ... Parents are Brad (detective) and Robin (resource specialist) Stevens ... Has 2 younger sisters ... Majoring in nursing and would like to be a nurse practitioner ... Enjoys hiking and reading.

THIS YEAR: Sophomore Stacey Wong will not compete during the fall season as she studies abroad through Azusa Pacific ... Will return in January and should bolster the Cougars' presence in both the backstroke and individual medley ... Should also benefit from a stronger Cougar line-up which will take pressure off Wong.

2009 (freshman): Was one of the Cougars' key swimmers during the program's inaugural season, qualifying for the NAIA Championship Meet in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard backstroke ... Also swam legs on the Cougars' 200- and 400-yard medley relays at nationals ... Had a hand in collecting 40 of the Cougars' 197 points ... At the PCSC Championships in Long Beach, Calif., finished 26th in the 100 back (1:02.94) ... Posted season-bests of 1:02.94 (100 back), 2:18.46 (200 back), and 2:24.29 (200 IM).

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed 4 varsity seasons of swimming at The King's Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif. ... Named All-West Bay first team as a 2008 senior and as a 2006 sophomore ... Qualified for the Central Coast Section Championships all 4 seasons ... Also served 2 seasons as team captain.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 8, 1989, in Sunnyvale, Calif. ... Parents are Steve (engineer) and June Wong ... Has 1 brother (Scott) who competed for the University of Hawaii swim team ... Majoring in athletic training with a possible minor in sports ministry.