AZUSA, Calif. – The “Running Ramirezes” exceeded expectations and highlighted an “Indoor Qualifier” meet at Azusa Pacific Saturday afternoon.

Senior Tim Ramirez, who last week clocked the fastest indoor 800 meters in Azusa Pacific history, came back today to shatter the school record in the 1000 meters, blazing a 2:22.85, the second fastest 1000-meter in all of collegiate track this year.

Younger brother Tony Ramirez, a former NAIA champ in the indoor 400 meter, recorded the fastest 600 meters in the NAIA this year with a sizzling 1:17.61 and has now qualified for the NAIA Indoor Championships in both the 400 and 600 meters.

All-American seniors Danny Reid and Kevin Lindsey closely followed Tim in the 1000 meters and added their names to the list of NAIA qualifiers in that event, recording a 2:27.31 and a 2:30.54, respectively. Azusa Pacific now has 3 of the top 5 1000-meter times in the NAIA this season.

“We’re showcasing the kind of depth we’re going to need at nationals,” said Cougar men’s coach Kevin Reid. “These guys are going to be the cornerstone of our success, from the long sprints to the mid-distances.”

In the women’s competition, Mandy Pohja, a sophomore out of Sterling, Colo., won the pole vault with a personal record vault of 11' 3 3/4", the seventh best in Azusa Pacific history. This time last year, Pohja was sidelined with an injury and out of consideration for helping the Cougars at the NAIA indoor championships. However, her performance today is the sixth best mark in the NAIA this year and suddenly places her in contention for All-American honors at next month’s national championships.

Meanwhile, junior Sarah Jackson continues her impressive comeback from an injury-riddled 2005 season by clocking a 1:35.34 in the 600 meters, finishing second in the race. Sophomore Kjersti Housman was a close third at 1:35.91. Both ladies met the automatic qualifying NAIA standard in the event. Jackson has now qualified for the NAIA indoors in 3 events: the open 400- and 600-meters and as a leg on the 4x400 relay.

In the distance races, Olivia Richert led the Cougar contingent by winning the 1000 meters with a 3:02.20 and has now qualified for the NAIA indoors in both the 1000- and 3000-meter races. Plus she is scheduled to run legs on the Cougars’ NAIA qualifying 4x800 and distance medley relays.

In her first pentathlon of the season, All-American junior Morgan Alitzer won Friday’s competition with a score of 3,279 points, which should easily qualify her for the NAIAs as well.

Overall, the Cougar women posted 13 improved marks during Saturday’s meet with 8 of them eclipsing the NAIA automatic standard for the indoor championships.

“We had a great meet,” said Cougar women’s coach Mike Barnett. “We did a super job in the 600, 1000 and 3000 by running qualifying times that are among the top 6 in the NAIA this year.”

The Cougars host a similar indoor qualifying meet Saturday (Feb. 18) beginning at 10 a.m.