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

THIS YEAR: Senior Jared Karkas is Azusa Pacific's most experienced returnee and is one of the top left backs in the nation ... Has started all 3 seasons entering his senior campaign and has the most collegiate game experience on the Cougar roster ... Has a dangerous left foot to go with his size and terrific speed ... Provides a reliable target in the box and is great going forward.

2007 (Junior): Was the only Azusa Pacific player to start all 22 contests during the Cougars' 2007 NAIA title run, anchoring a defense that posted program single-season records of 14 shutouts and a 0.49 goals-against average ... Was 1 of 6 Cougars to be accorded All-GSAC recognition ... Registered 15 points, scoring 2 goals and notching a team-high 11 assists ... Posted a 7-point weekend, scoring 1 goal and assisting 5 more in season-opening wins over Northwestern (Iowa) and Dominican at Westmont's Heritage Club Classic ... Scored on a spectacular 20-yard strike from a sharp angle with less than 7 minutes left to force overtime in an eventual 3-2 win over Westmont ... Assisted 2 of Steven Lenhart's 4 goals in the Cougars' 4-0 win over Concordia, which was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA at the time ... Provided the assist on Mike Wilson's insurance goal in Azusa Pacific's 3-1 NAIA quarterfinal victory over Fresno Pacific.

2006 (Sophomore): Started all but 3 games for the NAIA runner-up Cougars, appearing in a total of 22 games ... Registered a pair of assists on the year ... Was named NAIA All-Tournament for his standout play in 4 games ... Made the seventh of Azusa Pacific's 8 straight penalty kicks in the Cougars' eventual shootout victory after an NAIA Tournament-opening 1-1 draw with Lee (Tenn.) ... Helped the Cougar defense hold opponents to just 3 goals in 4 NAIA Tournament contests that included a pair of overtime games.

2005 (Freshman): Started the first 14 games of his freshman campaign before being derailed by a late season knee injury ... Bounced back to appear in the semifinals and final of the national tournament ... Provided quality defense throughout the season as the Cougars’ posted 9 shutouts ... Scored the Cougars' final goal in a 4-0 win over Hastings (Neb.) in the national semifinals.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 varsity seasons at Upland High under head coach Dave Condino ... Was a 2-time All-Baseline League first team pick ... Had a terrific senior campaign leading Upland to the Baseline League championship ... Added a team most valuable player honor to a collection that included 2 team defensive player of the year awards ... Captained the Arsenal Premiere club in 2003-04 ... Twice participated in the Dallas Cup (2003 finalist).

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 7, 1986, in Redwood City, Calif., to George and Marina Karkas ... Has 1 brother (Jordan) ... Majoring in business ... Wants to work for a professional sports team or run his own business.