Azusa Pacific head track & field coach Jack Hoyt has announced 26 newcomers that will join the Cougar track & field programs this year. Among the group of 26 is 13 distance runners, who were announced as cross country signees this past summer and competed this fall for cross country head coach Sean Smith this fall.  

"We did a great job creating some depth with our recruiting for both the men's and women's programs," said Hoyt. "We found that there were a lot of recruits who had become very interested in us last spring following the success that we were having on the track with PacWest team titles for the fifth consecutive year, as well as national rankings for both the men's and women's teams. We were fortunate to not lose too many of our athletes from last year's teams, so this recruiting class not only bolsters an excellent team from last year, but it ensures that we have the people in place to keep our team up at the top for several more years."

WOMEN'S NEWCOMERS

Luisa Fischer | Militach, Germany | University of Nevada, Reno

A division I transfer from the University of Nevada, Reno, Fischer brings significant experience to this year's Azusa Pacific team. Hailing from Militach, Germany, Fischer was a 12-time Bavarian Champion in multiple events which include the Pentathlon in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 while also earning the honor in events like the long and high jumps. She competed in three outdoor meets at UNR last season as a freshman where she recorded a second place finish at the Sacramento State Tri-Team Challenge in the javelin throw. Academically, Fischer graduated from Benedikt-Stattler-Gymnasium in Bad Kötzting, Germany with a 4.0 GPA in high school and was on the Dean's List at UNR for both fall and spring semesters last year. At Azusa Pacific, Fischer plans to study Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology.

Louisa on transferring to Azusa Pacific: "I got a recommendation form my throws coach Nate Meckes that's how I got interested in APU. I chose APU because I think that it has the perfect coaches and team for me to be very successful in track and field and become a great heptathlete. I want to be part of this successful team. I also like the environment and mentality people have at this school. They are very welcoming and you feel open minded. Furthermore, I love summer, the sun and the beach, so southern California is the perfect place to live for me."

Coach Hoyt on Louisa: "Luisa brings us the potential to score in 2 events at Nationals with the heptathlon and javelin. She also will be a big PacWest scorer in the high jump, shot put, and hurdles. She is a great fit for our program and will help keep our heptathletes scoring at Nationals for a long time to come."
 

Cassidy Bunyard | Columbia, Md. | Howard Community College

A transfer from Howard CC, Bunyard brings success and experience from the Junior College level with her to Azusa Pacific. She set her school record in the heptathlon at Howard CC and was the NJCAA D3 National Champion in the event last spring. Bunyard is a six-time NJCAA All-American: twice in high jump, once in the heptathlon, once in the javelin, once in the shot put, and once in the long jump. On top of her individual success, Bunyard's team placed fourth in the NJCAA Outdoor National Championships during the spring of 2021. Academically, she was awarded the Scholar Athlete of the Year from HCC during the 2020-2021 academic year while maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout both years of junior college. She will be pursuing a degree in English with a minor in Classics at Azusa Pacific.

Cassidy on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose APU because I had heard many great things about the track and field program, the coaching staff, and the culture of the team. I wanted to be a part of something hard-working and determined, yet faithful to God with every step. It was important to me to incorporate my faith into my training and APU helps me do that every day."

Coach Hoyt on Cassidy: "Cassidy has the talent to score high in the PacWest Conference in the high jump and heptathlon and hopefully take her high jump onto NCAA's. She has a great work ethic and is training hard to learn the throwing events."

Alana Perkins | Beverly Hills, Calif. | Beverly Hills HS

A freshman from California, Perkins is a multi-talented student-athlete with experience in track, cheer and is currently Miss Teen Universe USA. As an athlete, Perkins was a qualifier in the CIFSS Division 3 prelims and won her school's varsity track rising star award. She's a former varsity cheerleader and was the recipient of her school's cheer MVP. Academically, Perkins was on the Principal's honor roll and is a Dean's List member at Azusa Pacific as a Broadcast Journalism major. Perkins was the former Miss Teen California and even has professional experience as the lead anchor for Channel 6 KBEV. Was one of three students from her high school that was given the Daid Heiferman Memorial Award and she will be competing for Miss Teen Universe in Dubai in 2022.

Alana on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I am a devoted Christian and I wanted to align myself with a university that aligned my religion and offered my interests which were track and broadcast journalism. I believe that all things are possible through Christ and APU implements the importance of keeping God First at all times."

Coach Hoyt on Alana: "Did you know we had Miss USA Jr. on the team? Alana has a lot on her plate as Miss USA Jr and will be competing in Dubai for the World Title. With her busy schedule this fall, we hope to keep her conditioning moving forward with the goal of having her ready for PacWest Championships in the sprints. We are excited to see what her future has in store for her on the track."

Ashanti Perkins | Las Vegas, Nev. | Centennial HS
 

Perkins was a dual-sport athlete at Centennial High, where she was a three-year letter winner in track and field and lettered one year in flag football. During two of those seasons for the track team, Perkins served as a sprint team captain. In her freshman season, she was named the track & field team's Most Outstanding Freshman. Despite two straight seasons of setbacks, due to a torn ACL and the COVID pandemic, Perkins bounced back strongly in her senior season with PRs of 12.81 in the 100m, 26.2 in the 200m, and 1:01.82 in the 400m. During her final season at Centennial, the team transitioned to a club team due to the limitations placed on high school competitions as a result of the pandemic. On the club circuit, Perkins and her teammates excelled in relays. At the TFCUSA Indoor National Championships, Perkins was a member of the 4x200m relay team that placed second with a time of 1:48.17. Perkins also was a member of the 4x200m relay team at the AAU Indoor Nationals, where her team took fourth place with an even faster time of 1:44.43. Despite not being able to compete in a State Championship meet due to the pandemic, Centennial won the 5A Southern Region Championship, as Perkins ran in three relays (4x100, 4x200, 4x400), all of which Centennial took first place at the Championships. 

Ashanti on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because I felt like it was the best fit for me both academically and athletically which was really important to me. I wanted to go to a school where both my academic and track career would be valued equally. Coach Andy was also really understanding and patient every time we talked, and that solidified my choice to commit to APU."

Abby Keane | Waukesha, Wisc. | Brookfield Central HS

A freshman from Wisconsin, Keane was a three-year varsity track and field athlete at Brookfield Central HS that competed mostly in pole vault and hurdles as her two main events. In her senior season, Keane placed first at her conference, regional, and sectional championships in the pole vault on her way to a fifth place finish at state with a height of 11'6". She is her high school's current record holder with her personal best vault of 11'9". In addition, she placed first in conference in the 100m & 300m hurdle relays as well as the 4x400m relay and recorded an outright 100m hurdle individual win her senior year. Keane also competed for her high school's diving team all four years, where she qualified for state in her senior season and qualified for sectionals all four years of high school. Academically, Keane was an honor roll student that participated in the National Honor Society and was named a Greater Metro Conference scholar-athlete. Keane is set to study Allied Health at Azusa Pacific.

Abby on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because the track team has a fun and positive atmosphere. I also liked that the coaches saw my potential in both academics and athletics!"

Coach Hoyt on Abby: "Abby has great speed and power and has a good shot of jumping 13 feet this year. She is in the perfect situation to learn from our experienced upperclasswomen and then take the reins from them when they graduate and continue to build our pole vault squad."
 

Alayna Verner | Las Vegas, Nev. | Silverado HS

A freshman from Nevada, Verner competed in both the 200m and 400m in high school. She broke her high school record in the 400m twice, the last being in 2021 with her personal best time of 56.06. This past spring she also broke her school record in the 200m with her personal best time of 24.99. She competed in the USATF Junior Olympic Championships in 2019 placing second in the 400m and also competed in the NAU Tune-up unattached in 2020 in the 200m also placing second. She also was a part of the 4x100 relay that broke their school record.

Alayna on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose APU not only to pursue my love/hate relationship with track but to get more connected with God. I feel being here will enhance my knowledge of Jesus more and it'll help me fill in the emptiness I have when it comes to learning and understanding the bible. Also APU has great majors I can choose from when I'm ready to make a decision on which route I want to take as a career."

Coach Andrea Blackett on Alayna: "Alayna is a very important addition to our sprints group. We are looking for her to excel in the 200m and 400m in addition to being crucial parts of both relay teams."
 

Trinity Miller | Toronto, Canada | McLaughlin Collegiate & Vocational Institute

A freshman from Canada, Miller is a three-time OFSAA provincial champion in the province of Ontario. She's competed in the 60m, 100m, and 200m throughout high school and will provide good depth for Azusa Pacific in many sprint events. Academically, Miller was an honor roll student and an Ontario scholar throughout high school and she plans to study Psychology at Azusa Pacific.

Trinity on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose APU because after speaking with the coach Andy and the way she talked about the team and the dynamic of everything that had just happened with them winning their National Championship it was something that I really wanted to be a part of."

Coach Blackett on Trinity: "We are really excited to add Trinity to the sprints group. She will bring some depth to the short sprints and 4*100m relay."
 

There are seven incoming distance runners on the women's side that will run for the defending National Champions, as Mikayla Akers, Maylea Brawner, Briseida Garcia Meza, Kristilyn Hetherington, Samantha Jordan, Annabella Laputz, and Justine Stecko join the Cougars. This fall for the cross country team, Akers, Garcia Meza and Stecko were All-West Region and First Team All-PacWest performers. Additionally, Stecko qualified for Nationals with a seventh-place finish at Regionals, while Akers earned the title of the PacWest Women's Cross Country Newcomer of the Year. To read more on the seven distance newcomers, click here to view the cross country signing story from this past summer.

MEN'S NEWCOMERS

Dominic Gonzalez-Shelmire | Covina, Calif. | Gabrielino High School

Gonzalez-Shelmire arrives at Azusa Pacific following a stellar career at Gabrielino High. While at Gabrielino, he became the school's all-time leader in both the 200 and 400. In the 400, he was the 2021 Arcadia Invitational 400 champion, and he finished 23rd in California, 14th in the Southern section, and fifth in Division III. In his senior year, he helped lead Gabrielino to the Mission Valley League Championship. Academically, he maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher throughout his high school career. 

Dominic on choosing Azusa Pacific: "Azusa Pacific has been my dream school since the 6th grade. My mother is an alumnus and after visiting on a college trip I instantly fell in love. I love the community and overall feeling I get when I walk into and around campus. Besides those reasons, Azusa Pacific also has reputable kinesiology and track & field programs."

Coach Andrea Blackett on Dominic: "Dom is a very talented kid and a hard worker. We are very excited to have him join the program and I am eager to watch him grow."

Leroy Kwateh | Elizabeth, N.J. | Minnesota State Mankato

A graduate transfer from Division II Minnesota State Mankato, Kwateh is a three-time NSIC All-Conference performer in hurdle events. Kwateh was a one-time All-American and a seven-time Team Conference Champion throughout his four years at Minnesota State Mankato. Kwateh's main event was the 400m hurdles competing in the team relays as well as the individual event. He plans to get his Master's in Business Management (MBM) in Sports Management.

Coach Hoyt on Leroy: "Leroy will add depth to our sprints program. He has amazing power and energy and we are excited to see him blossom under Coach Andy's tutelage for the 400 hurdles. He will also help our men in chasing 4x400 qualifying times."

Ayrton Ledesma | Morelia, Mexico | Oklahoma State

A transfer from Division I Oklahoma State, Ledesma is very familiar with Coach Smith, as he ran for Smith at Gillette Junior College in 2017. Ledesma would go on to transfer to Oklahoma State where he had a fine career. As a Poke, Ledesma was named All-Big 12 twice during the 2019 season (outdoor 3000 steeplechase, indoor 5000). Before his time at Oklahoma State, he was a NJCAA National Champion in the 3000 steeplechase and indoor 3000 in 2018. During that same year, he was also a NJCAA National Runner-up in the outdoor 5000 and the indoor mile. For his efforts he was named the NJCAA Midwest Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year in his last season at Gillette College. Ledesma currently has a personal best time of 8:55.26 in the 3000 steeplechase which is a time that could help him qualify for the D2 National Championships. He has also helped two separate cross country teams garner top-15 finishes at nationals. In the fall of 2018, Oklahoma State finished 13th in the country while Gillette College finished 4th at nationals in the fall of 2017. Academically, Ledesma is a three-time academic achievement honoree at Oklahoma State and plans to pursue his Master's degree in Applied Statistics and Analytics at Azusa Pacific.

Ayrton on transferring to Azusa Pacific: "I chose APU to continue my education because I think that is the place where I will be the happiest. I will not just take my education to the next level by starting a masters degree, but will also be able to continue running and competing. A little over a year ago when the pandemic started I thought my athletic career was over, but God is giving me another chance and I am really grateful for that!"

Coach Smith on Ledesma: "I have been blessed to work with Ayrton previously at Gillette College and there is no doubt he is one of the most focused and disciplined people I have ever met.  To have another opportunity like this is something I could not be more grateful for. He not only brings in talent, fast times and accolades, but immense leadership which will be necessary as we enter a new era."

Aaron Worrell | Christ Church, Barbados | University of New Orleans

A transfer from the University of New Orleans, Worrell will bring significant division I experience to the Cougar team this season. Worrell placed third at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships in the long jump and also added points for his team in the high jump. In 2018 at Alcorn State, Worrell claimed the decathlon title at the SWAC Conference Championships after finishing first in the 100m, 400m, high jump, and long jump. Academically, Worrell was named an NCAA Division I All-Academic Athlete by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and is set to study Economics at Azusa Pacific.

Aaron on transferring to Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa because of the coaching staff at the University. I believe they are in the process of making some amazing things happen at APU. They are a good group of talented, hardworking and understanding coaches that are willing to push and help anyone who has the potential to make the next level. The school is also home for the great Brian Clay who is a legend in the field that I am pursuing. It always helps to have history, talented coaches and God on your side."

Coach Hoyt on Aaron: "Aaron has the ability and drive to be at the Olympic level in the decathlon. He is already an excellent sprinter and jumper and needs to learn the throws and pole vault. He will be another great decathlete following in the footsteps of many other great APU Decathletes like Bryan Clay, Tage Peterson, David Pope, and Dave Johnson. He and his training partner, All-American Lincoln Krog, should make huge contributions to our team score at NCAA's!"
 

Logan Peyton | Oregon City, Ore. | Oregon City High School

A freshman from Oregon City, Ore., Peyton is set to compete for Azusa Pacific in the javelin among other events. In high school, Peyton broke his school record in the javelin during his sophomore year and went on to place second at the State Championships before a top-10 finish at Nationals in his senior season. Peyton was a multi-sport athlete also competing for his high school football and baseball teams. Academically, Peyton graduated from Oregon City high school with a 3.5 GPA and is set to study Business Management.

Logan on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because I like the atmosphere here, the location, and I see myself being most successful here."

Coach Hoyt on Logan: "Logan has the ability to win conference as a freshman and has the drive and work ethic to make the needed improvements to have a shot at going to Nationals in the javelin."

Jaren Wible | Auburn, Calif. | Forest Lake Christian

A freshman from California, Wible was an outstanding student-athlete at Forest Lake Christian school in Northern California. Wible currently holds his junior high and high school records in the long jump and was a 2021 AAU Western National Championships Long Jumper. His best jump was 21' 4" in high school as his high school was crowned the League Champions in his sophomore year. Wible competed for the Sacramento Blue Wings AAU team. In the classroom, Wible recorded a cumulative GPA of 4.1 and passed many AP classes and exams. He plans to study Engineering at Azusa Pacific. 

Jaren on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because it is a strong Christian-based school with a good Engineering program and Track team (and it is in a really cool area near LA, Anaheim, the beach, etc.)"

Coach Hoyt on Jaren: "Jaren is a long jumper with good speed and a great work ethic. He is in a good place to learn from our strong upperclassmen jumps squad. We are also going to try him out in the pole vault and are excited to see what he might be able to accomplish for us in that event."

Joey Rauwerda | Grand Rapids, Mich. | Grand Rapids Christian HS

A freshman from Michigan, Rauwerda was a pole vault All-Conference and All-State performer in high school. Currently holds his high school and middle school pole vault record and was named his high school track and field MVP. On top of his individual success, his team placed sixth at the MITCA State Championships during his time at Grand Rapids Christian. In the classroom, Rauwerda recorded an incredible 4.14 cumulative GPA and was an Academic All-State member. He plans to attend Azusa Pacific with an undeclared major.

Joey on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific to step outside my comfort zone in a new location, and to learn more about my faith."

Coach Hoyt on Joey: "Joseph will add depth to our pole vault and should be able to score at the All Conference level. We have hopes with his speed and size that 16 feet is possible in the next 2 years."

Januar Ramadhan | Ramona, Calif. | Ramona High School

A freshman from California, Januar ran unattached at the APU Franson Classic last spring recording times of 11.11 in the 100m, and 23.19 in the 200m. His personal best time in the 100m is 10.88, in the 200m is 22.90, and also has a personal best of 22' 11" in the long jump. Januar plans to study Kinesiology at Azusa Pacific. 

Januar on choosing Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because of the amazing track program."

Coach Hoyt on Januar: "Januar has exceptional speed and power. He will contribute for us as a PacWest scorer in the long jump and has a good chance to make our 4x100 squad."

Six distance runners have joined the men's program this year, after the group helped lead Azusa Pacific men's cross country to its best season in the NCAA era. The six newcomers are Adam Alnazer, Collin McMillan, Michael Schneider, Josh Meneses, Zeke Nyberg, and Josh Velasco. This fall, the Cougars turned in the program's best finish at the PacWest Championships, where Azusa Pacific took second place behind All-PacWest performances from Velasco and Burns, as well as returning runners such as Nixon Korir, Dider Sandoval and Riley Burns. Velasco went on to place fourth at Regionals which earned him All-West Region distinction and a spot at Nationals. To read more on the six distance newcomers,  click here to view the cross country signing story from this past summer.
  

The indoor season for Azusa Pacific track & field starts this Friday, Dec. 3 at the GVSU Holiday Open, which is the first of eight indoor meets. The outdoor season will begin in mid-February. To view the 2021-22 Azusa Pacific track & field schedule, click here.