AZUSA, Calif. – What started as a lark has turned into a serious effort for Azusa Pacific men’s track & field. And it may prove to the difference between a champion and a runner-up.

Azusa Pacific surprisingly qualified 3 athletes for the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in of all events, the walk! Freshmen Everson Marsh and John Pfiel and sophomore Mitch Howell all reached the NAIA qualifying mark in their first-ever walk competition, using the 1-mile version to punch their NAIA indoor ticket for the 3000-meter walk that will be staged on the national level.

The idea to enter the 3 Cougars into the walk came less than a week ago. Cougar coach Kevin Reid sent the trio over to Occidental College for a crash course training session 2 days ago. They must be quick studies because Marsh turned around and won the walk at today’s “Last Chance Qualifier” at Azusa Pacific, recording an 8:21.03 to qualify for the NAIAs by nearly 19 seconds. Howell was a close second at 8:21.54, while Pfiel was third at 8:24.13.

While none of the men can be called favorites, at least for now, to win the individual title at next month’s NAIA Championships, any combination of the trio could score points at the national championship meet, and that could prove to be the difference for Azusa Pacific in what is expected to be a tight race for the NAIA men’s crown.

Meanwhile in other competition at today’s meet, junior James Ferguson improved his efforts in the 30-pound weight throw (51’ 0”) and shot put (51’ 8¼”) to solidify his position among the nation’s elite.

Among the women’s competition, junior Lorraine Swaby won the 200 meters with a NAIA qualifying time of 25.45. Earlier in the day, she clocked a marked improvement in her specialty, the 400 meters, running a season-best 57.27.

Freshman Jaime Canterbury finished second in the 1000 meters, but she became the second Cougar to qualify for the NAIAs in that event, running a 3:05.91. All-American senior Kristi Young and sophomore Ruth Wilhelm threw personal records in the weight throw, qualifying for the NAIAs with respective tosses of 50’ 7½” and 50’ 2”.