Cougar Athletics
31 NAIA National Championships
99 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: The reigning NAIA champion, senior Jaime Canterbury is seeking to become only the fifth female runner in NAIA history to win back-to-back national titles ... Strong runner who runs smart tactical races ... A 2-time NAIA All-American and 3-time All-GSAC honoree in cross country, is one of the most experienced runners in the NAIA ... Has run in 3 previous NAIA cross country championships, 3 NAIA indoor track & field championships and 3 NAIA outdoor track & field championships.

2007 (junior): Became the first Cougar ever to win the NAIA title with a school-record time of 17:10 on the Kenosha, Wis., course, leading the Cougar women to a sixth-place team finish ... Improved her 5K PR by nearly 45 seconds at the national meet ... Finished second at the NAIA regional (17:48) and GSAC (17:55) meets ... Was third in the Stanford Invitational 4K (14:12) ... Finished in the top 5 in all 6 meets she competed.

2006 (sophomore): Fashioned a great season, earning NAIA All-America honors after finishing eighth at the NAIA Championship Meet with an 18:20 ... Finished in the top 10 in 4 of the 6 meets the Cougars ran, including the NAIA regional championship meet where she was sixth with an 18:15 ... Posted a season best 18:13 at the Willamette Invitational in Salem, Ore., for the 11th best mark in program history ... Finished 3 5K races under 18:25.

2005 (freshman): Put together a fine 2005 rookie season, earning All-GSAC honors by finishing sixth at the conference meet ... Followed 2 weeks later by clocking a personal-best 5K of 18:50 at the NAIA regionals ... Ran a 19:41 at the NAIAs in Louisville, Ky. ... Was the Cougars’ No. 2 finisher in 5 of the 6 meets she ran.

TRACK & FIELD: Is a 9-time NAIA track & field All-American and the reigning indoor 3000- and outdoor 5000-meter champion ... As a sophomore, led the Cougars to the NAIA outdoor championship by posting a critical second-place showing in the 1500 ... Ranks among the Cougars’ all-time Top 5 in the 800 (2:11.47), 1500 (school-record 4:23.61), mile (4:57.28), 3000 (9:45.45) and 5000 (school-record 16:34.41).

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 3 seasons of track & field and cross country for head coach Rex Hall at state power Dana Hills High in Dana Point, Calif. ... As a senior, named cross country's MVP and track's most valuable distance runner after leading the Dolphins to the South Coast League title ... Named to Dana Hills' athletics hall of fame for earning 6 varsity letters and all-league recognition in 2 different sports ... Had personal bests of 18:29 on the Mt. SAC course and 19:01 on the course at Fresno's Woodward Park.

PERSONAL: Born June 23, 1987, in Laguna Beach, Calif., to Norton (business owner) and Vicki Canterbury ... Has a younger brother (Jeremy) and sister (Paige) ... Majoring in psychology.

THIS YEAR: A more experienced Kayla Carstsensen figures to make a strong case to be the Cougars’ No. 5 runner ... Consistency will be a key to her role and success.

2007 (freshman): Recorded a fine first year of competition as the only Cougar freshman to compete at the NAIA Championship Meet in Kenosha, Wis. ... Finished 26th at the NAIA Regional Championships with a time of 19:10 for a collegiate 5K personal best ... Posted the best 5K time as a No. 5 runner among all Cougars.

TRACK & FIELD: Gained key experience by competing in both the NAIA indoor and outdoor championship meets during her freshman season ... Ran legs during the preliminary rounds on the Cougars’ 4x800-meter relay ... Recorded seasons bests of 2:21.29 (800), 3:09.72 (1000), 1500 (4:46.48), and 5:27.7 (mile).

HIGH SCHOOL: Was home-schooled through Liberty Christian Academy ... Competed unattached in open road races and youth track & field meets.

PERSONAL: Born March 17, 1989, to Todd (electrical engineer) and Keena Carstensen ... Has 1 brother (Jared) and 2 sisters (Brianna, a former Cougar All-American in cross country and the holder of several Cougar track & field distance records, Diandra) ... Majoring in business administration.

THIS YEAR: An inspiring member of the Cougar distance program, sophomore Stephanie Godfrey is in just her second year of running long distances and has shown plenty of potential for her career … Will compete with 3 other runners for the Cougars’ No. 5 spot … Known for her determination and strong competitive will.

2007 (freshman: In her first-ever season of cross country, appeared in 6 meets, posting some surprising results along the way … Was the Cougars’ No. 5 runner in 4 meets, including at the Midwest Collegiate in Kenosha, Wis., where she clocked a season-best 19:33 to help Azusa Pacific finish third overall as a team … Was also the Cougars’ No. 5 at GSACs (19:52) and NAIA nationals (19:58).

TRACK & FIELD: Has competed on the Cougar track & field women’s team the past 2 seasons … As a 2008 sophomore, posted career bests of 5:12.73 (1500). 18:53.45 (1500), 5:42.68 (mile), 10:59.01 (3000) and 38:56.64 (10,000) … Qualified for the NAIA outdoor championships in the 10,000, finishing 21st (39:02.22).

HIGH SCHOOL: Did not compete in any sports during her 3-plus years at Faith Bible High in Aloha, Ore. ... Rather spent 5 years as a competitive swimmer for the West Hills Aquatic Team (USA swimming) where she excelled in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke ... A knee injury ended her swimming career.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 17, 1988, in Portland, Ore., to Larry (electrical engineer) and Linda Godfrey ... Has 1 sister (Elizabeth) ... Her mother was a swimmer at Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich. ... Majoring in psychology.

THIS YEAR: An outstanding runner, senior transfer Renee Graham is expected to have a major impact on the Cougar fortunes while adapting to a new school and level of competition ... Teams with Jaime Canterbury and Jacky Kipwambok to give the Cougars one of the best trios in the NAIA ... Has great experience in large, national meets ... Will push for postseason honors.

LAMAR: Ran 3 seasons of cross country at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where she qualified for 3 straight NCAA Division I championship meets, finishing in the top 130 each time ... Posted an NCAA championship meet personal-best time of 21:45 over the 6K course at the 2007 meet in Terre Haute, Ind. ... Was a 3-time Southland Conference runner-up while leading the Cardinals to a pair of conference titles ... As a 2006 sophomore, was third at the NCAA regional with a personal-best 20:42 ... Also ran 3 seasons of track & field, competing in all the distance events ranging from the 1500 meters to the 10,000, including the steeplechase ... Posted personal bests of 10:00.49 (3000), 10:33.67 (steeplechase), 16:34.89 (5000), and 36:12.86 (10,000), all among the all-time top 4 times in Lamar history ... Was a 2-time Southland Conference indoor 5000-meter champ, and as a 2007 junior won the Southland outdoor 10,000 title.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Sacred Heart High in Hawera, New Zealand.

PERSONAL: Born November 4, 1986 in Hawera, New Zealand ... Mother is Diane Graham... Has 1 brother (Daniel) ... Majoring in exercise & sport science ... Hopes to one day compete in the Commonwealth Games.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Melissa Granados could prove to be a reliable runner after a solid high school career … Pushing to transfer competition stability into the collegiate level.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a key runner for cross country and track & field at South Hills High in Covina, Calif. … Led the Huskies as a 2-year captain in both her sports … Was a member of the 4-time cross country and 2-time track & field San Antonio League championship teams … Participated in CIF section finals for cross country as a 2006 junior and 2007 senior … posted a 5K best of 18:45 on the Mt. SAC course.

PERSONAL: Born May 10, 1990 in Covina, Calif. … Parents are Jim (realtor) and Sally (hospital clerk) … Has 3 sisters (Crystal, Elizabeth, Christie) and a brother (Jimmy) … Majoring in business management with a minor in history … Would like to attend law school after graduation.

THIS YEAR: One of 3 freshmen to join the Cougars’ 11-athlete roster, Lauren Jimison is a quality newcomer who could develop into a standout runner ... Has untapped talent and how quickly she adapts to college competition will determine her contribution.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a prominent figure in track & field and cross country at Capital Christian High in Sacramento, Calif. ... Started the girls’ cross country program at Capital Christian ... Was a 3-time Golden Empire League and 2-time CIF Sac-Joaquin cross country champion ...Also competed in 3 state meets, best showing was as a senior when she finished 14th in the 2007 Division IV meet, clocking a 19:13 on the Woodward Park course ... As a 2006 junior, finished 30th in the state division V meet with a time of 20:18 ... Finished 54th as a 2005 sophomore at the state meet with a 21:07 ... Also ran 3 seasons of track & field where she was a multiple Golden Empire League champion and as a senior was fifth at CIFs in the 3200 meters.

PERSONAL: Born July 12, 1990 in Sacramento, Calif. ... Parents are Lee (school superintendent) and Pam Jimison (teacher) ... Has one younger brother (Brett) ... Considering social work or global studies as a major with a minor in sports ministry ... Would like to become a missionary ... Enjoys hiking and the outdoors.

THIS YEAR: One of the NAIA’s premier distance runners, sophomore All-American Jacky Kipwambok is the reigning NAIA runner-up in cross country ... A talented runner with great speed and endurance ... Will press for the national title ... Capable of running in the sub-17s on a 5K course ... Teams with Jaime Canterbury and Renee Graham to give Azusa Pacific perhaps the best distance running trio in the NAIA.

2007 (freshman): Put together a marvelous freshman season in which she won the GSAC (17:47) and NAIA regional (17:26) championships and finished second to Canterbury in the NAIA championship meet (17:14), posting the second best 5K time in Cougar cross country history ... Is the fifth Cougar ever to win the GSAC crown ... Recorded a top 4 finish in 5 of the 6 meets she ran.

TRACK & FIELD: Captured 5 NAIA All-American honors during her 2007 sophomore season running for Azusa Pacific ... Was the NAIA runner-up in the indoor 5000 (17:20.31) and outdoor 5000 (16:55.36) ... Was also tenth in the 10,000 (34:41.93) ... Was the GSAC champion in the 1500 (4:32.12) ... Holds the school record in the 10,000 (34:37.25 set at the Mt. SAC Relays) and the mile (4:56.13 set at the NAIA indoors), and on Azusa Pacific’s all-time career lists is currently second in the 1500 (4:23.68), 5000 (16:46.17), trailing only Canterbury’s bests in both events.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Ran one season of track & field at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kan. ... As a 2007 freshman was the NJCAA runner-up in the steeplechase (11:22.00) to help lead the Lady Tigers to a third place finish at the national junior college championship meet in Coffeyville, Kan. ... Also anchored Cowley’s 4x800 to a fourth-place finish ... Was the Jayhawk Conference champion in the 1500, 5000 and 10,000 and was named the NJCAA Region VI women’s track MVP of the championship meet after winning the 1500 and 10,000 while anchoring the 4x800 to the region title as well ... Set the school records in the steeplechase, 1500, 3000, 5000, 10,000 and 4x800.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 14, 1985, in Kapsabet, Kenya, to Wilson (farmer) and Leah (farmer) Kipwambok ... Has 5 brothers (Steve, Nick, Dary, Evan, Obadiah) and 3 sisters (Nattali, Silas, Jennifer) ... Majoring in nursing with a minor in applied health.

THIS YEAR: Veteran Jenny Landis is a fifth-year senior who could prove to be the surprise of the team ... Worked hard over the summer and put in a lot of mileage in her training ... Looking to finish her collegiate career on a strong note ... Will push for the pivotal role as the Cougars’ No. 5 runner.

2007: Ran in 4 meets as a 2007 junior, recording a season-best time of 20:44 in the opener hosted by Cal State Fullerton ... Finished 57th in the GSAC meet at Woodward Park in Fresno with a 29:58.

2006 Appeared in all 6 meets the Cougars competed in during her 2006 sophomore campaign, posting a lifetime best of 19:59 on Fresno’s Woodward Park course to finish 46th at the NAIA regional championship meet ... Also ran at the NAIA national championship meet in Louisville, Ky., finishing with a 21:44 on the 5K course.

2005: In her first season of cross country, competed in 3 meets, posting a 5K best of 21:41 which she clocked at the GSAC meet.

TRACK & FIELD: Competed on Azusa Pacific’s track & field team the past 4 seasons, opening her career as a pentathlete during her 2005 freshman indoor season before moving on to the distance races ... Has competed in 7 NAIA Championship Meets, running legs on Azusa Pacific’s 4x800 relays that advanced to the finals at the 2006 and 2008 NAIA indoor and outdoor championships ... ... Owns lifetime bests of 2:17.46 (800m) and 4:53.29 (1500m).

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 2 seasons of cross country and 3 seasons of track & field at Arcadia (Calif.) High ... Was a 2-time all-league second team honoree in both track and cross country ... Named the team’s most improved as a junior and most inspirational as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born June 26, 1986, in Monrovia, Calif., to Richard (business manager) and Denise (teacher) Landis ... Has 2 brothers (Michael, David) ... Graduated with a degree in English and philosophy ... Now pursuing an master’s degree in education and a teaching credential.

THIS YEAR: A healthy Victoria Martinez could prove to be a difference-maker in the Cougars’ pursuit for their best-ever showing on the national level ... A great competitor and a lot of talent ... Coming off a strong track & field season that has given her an excellent base for the cross country campaign ... 1 of 3 runners vying for the vital No. 5 finisher on the team.

2007 (freshman: Appeared in the Cougars’ first 2 meets before a leg injury ended her campaign ... Opened the year with a 19:58 at the Cal State Fullerton meet followed by a 19:47 at the Midwest Collegiate.

TRACK & FIELD: During her 2008 freshman season, competed in both the NAIA indoor and outdoor championship meets, earning All-America recognition by running the opening leg of the Cougars’ distance medley relay that finished third at the indoor championships ... At the outdoor meet, advanced to the 1500-meter finals while running the opening leg on the Cougar 4x800-meter relay that finished eighth ... At the GSAC championships was third in the 1500 meters (4:44.18) behind teammates Jacky Kipwambok and Jaime Canterbury ... Ran the opening leg on the conference champion 4x800-meter relay ... Recorded season-bests of 2:18.35 (800), 4:42.02 (1500), and 5:23.37 (mile).

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at Granite Hills High in Apple Valley, Calif. ... Was a 3-time All-Desert Sky League honoree in track & field and a 2-time All-CIF pick in soccer ... As a freshman, finished fourth in the CIF cross country finals and was eighth as a junior ... In track, was league champion in the 1600 and 3200 as a freshman ... In soccer, led Granite Hills to the CIF Division V championship as a junior ... Recorded bests of 5:07.67 (1600) ... Also ran an 18:49 in a cross country meet at Mt. SAC ... Missed all of her senior season with torn knee ligaments.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 28, 1989, in Victorville, Calif., to James (distributionist) and Tracey (public information officer) Martinez ... Has a younger sister (Meghan) ... Majoring in physical therapy.

THIS YEAR: Already regarded as perhaps the strongest No. 4 runner in Azusa Pacific cross country history, senior Becca Reyes is a powerful runner who could push for All-America recognition ... Coming off a strong track & field season and will be a key runner in the Cougars’ quest for a high national finish.

2007 (junior): Ran in 6 meets in her first year at Azusa Pacific, earning All-GSAC and NAIA all-region honors for her performances ... Was the Cougars’ No. 3 runner in a trio of meets ... Recorded a 5K season-best 18:28 while finishing 13th at the NAIA regional meet ... Finished 86th at the NAIA championships with a 19:03 ... Was ninth at the GSAC Meet.

TRACK & FIELD: During the spring of 2008, captured a pair of NAIA All-America honors first by finishing fifth in the indoor 800 meters with a personal-best time of 2:15.25 and then running the opening leg on the Cougars’ 4x800-meter relay that finished second at the indoor championships ... At the outdoor championships, anchored the Cougars to an eight-place finish in the 4x800 ... Recorded season-bests of 1:38.89 (600), 2:15.25 (800) and 4:39.56 (1500).

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Ran 2 seasons of cross country and track & field at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. ... Was a 2-time all-state honoree in cross country, finishing ninth as a freshman at the 2005 state meet to capture first-team recognition, then garnering second-team honors after finishing 19th (19:14) at the 2006 state meet at Woodward Park ... Clocked a personal best of 2:17 in the 800.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was home-schooled through San Luis Christian Academy in San Luis Obispo and did not run cross country or track & field.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 9, 1987, in San Luis Obispo, Calif. ... Parents are Serio (engineer) and Nancy (clerk) Reyes ... Has 1 brother (Sergio, the 2002 NAIA 10,000-meter champion at Cedarville College in Ohio) and 3 sisters (Melissa, Christian, Jessica) ... Majoring in business.

THIS YEAR: Newcomer Stacy Yarbrough will use her freshman year to adjust to college level competition.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 2 seasons of varsity cross country at Martin Luther King High in Riverside, Calif. ... Competed in the CIF Division I section finals as a member of the 2007 Wolf cross country team ... Also participated in swimming.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 3, 1990 in Riverside, Calif. ... Parents are Rob and Carol Yarbrough (both teachers) ... Has 1 brother (Brad) ... Has not declared a major.