Azusa Pacific head coach Sean Smith has announced his 2022 men's recruiting class, as seven student-athletes are set to join the Cougars ahead of the upcoming fall campaign. 

"This is a very good incoming class and we had a strong returning group to start with," said Coach Smith, "I would guess this men's team has the ability to put 10 in front of last years #5 when you add these men to the roster. Something discussed with the recruits throughout the process was what we want as a program on the national level. I've been aiming for men who share the same goals and I really think we get that with this group. The whole group is hungry for something big on the national level. Good things take time and developing athletes take time, but recruiting classes like this certainly help get you there faster. I think they are going to surprise a lot of people."


JACOB BROWN | Agua Dulce, Calif. | Canyon High School (Canyon Country)

Brown was a league champion on the track at CHS, where he won the 1600m at the Foothill League Championships. His top track times were 4:21 in the 1600, and 9:24 in the 3200. During the cross country season, Brown and his teammates finished third in the Foothill League and advanced to CIF.

In the classroom, Brown wrapped up his senior year with a perfect 4.0 GPA. At Azusa Pacific, he intends to major in Kinesiology.

Brown on his decision to run for the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific University because I believe that I will succeed here, and I love the atmosphere."

Coach Smith on Brown: "Jacob comes from a great high school program that took their time developing him and the jump that he saw this past year was incredible. His consistency through COVID seasons and buy-in to the process resulted in a 23 second drop in the 1600 and a 32 second drop in the 3200. When an athlete who barely breaks 10min as a junior runs low 9:20's, you know a special college career lies ahead. I can tell he is really eager to make the jump into the college ranks and I have full confidence he will be a key player for us this fall."


SALVADOR CAPETILLO | Los Angeles, Calif. | Adams State

Capetillo arrives at Azusa Pacific with two years of eligibility. After graduating from Baldwin Park High School, Capetillo went on to run at Colorado (NCAA Division I), then returned home to run at Mt. SAC Community College, and then went to Adams State (NCAA Division II). Capetillo had a decorated career in cross country and on the track at BPHS. He was both a cross country league champion, and a track league champion in several events, he was named the San Gabriel Valley Cross Country Runner of the Year twice (2014 & 2015), a league MVP, and he is Baldwin Park's school record holder in the 3200m, as he ran a time of 9:01.

At Mt. SAC, Capetillo was a three-time State Champion in track & field, as he was the two-time champion in the 10K, and won the 5K. Regionally, he was a four-time track & field champion (two-time defending in both the 10K and the 5K), and he was a cross country regional champion. Capetillo ran 14:16.03 for 5000m this past year at the Bryan Clay Invitational. He has also run 19:01 (4 Miles) and 24:31 (8000m) in cross country.

Not only has Capetillo garnered honors and awards athletically, but he has also excelled in the classroom. Throughout high school, he was on the Honor Roll and Dean's Honor Roll, and he earned the distinction to the Collegiate Dean's List Honor Roll in 2020. At Azusa Pacific, he will pursue a degree in Kinesiology.

Capetillo on joining the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific because this team has potential to be one of the greatest schools in the NCAA. With it being close to home and having some familiar faces, I found it to be a good fit in terms of chemistry and training. I have seen the progress Coach Smith has made with the program and I feel like I can help take this program to the next level for my remaining two years of eligibility."

Coach Smith on Capetillo: "Sal is a game changer and came into the equation late in the year which was a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure he or I really thought this Fall would be an option up until a couple weeks ago being honest! He's run incredibly fast, especially when you consider the lack of support system, team mates, structured seasons the past two years due to the pandemic. He is someone who wants to pursue this at the highest level and has been patiently waiting for an opportunity to shine. Azusa Pacific is the opportunity he has been looking for and I am very eager to start working with him. He is going to be a great fit at Azusa Pacific and I'm grateful for the chance to work with him."


JASON GUTIERREZ | Anaheim, Calif. | Canyon High School (Anaheim)

In his senior season at Canyon, Gutierrez set three personal records on the track. He ran an 800m time of 1:58.76, a 1600m time of 4:34.11, and a 3200m time of 10:33.34. 

Coach Smith on Gutierrez: "Jason may be the newest distance runner on the team, having started up in the Spring season of his junior year, but he made the most of it. There are a lot of areas for growth certainly, but he made a big jump right away and has some great turn over. We will be working on the aerobic side of things this fall and that component will take his running to the next level. He is very passionate and enthusiastic which I think will also elevate the team culture and practice environment. Looking forward to having him at Azusa Pacific!"


MOISES MARQUEZ | Long Beach, Calif. | Cal State Los Angeles

While Marquez does not have cross country eligibility remaining, he will join the Cougars with two seasons of track & field eligibility and train with the distance group throughout the fall. At Cal State Los Angeles last fall, Marquez was an All-CCAA performer in cross country, as he finished 13th at the conference championships. Marquez was Cal State LA's first all-conference runner since 1998. Additionally, he ran unattached this past Spring completing the 5000m in 14:35 on two different occasions. Prior to Cal State LA, Marquez ran for Long Beach City College, where he was an All-State runner.

Academically, he earned CCAA All-Academic distinction in 2020-21, and he was a Dean's List honoree in four semesters. At Azusa Pacific, Marquez will be pursuing a Master's degree in Physical Education. 

Marquez on deciding to join the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific University because its Master's Program in Physical Education will equip me with the tools necessary to pursue my dream jobs, which are coaching my very own collegiate team and becoming an instructor. In addition to that, Coach Smith is one of the most devoted coaches I have met. Under his coaching and guidance, we believe I can reach my goals on and off the field."

Coach Smith on Marquez: "Although Moises will only have track eligibility the next two years, he will certainly come in and elevate the overall practice and training atmosphere during the fall. His patience in the fall will pay off as he opens up in the spring. He is completely dialed in, hard working and is close to another breakthrough season. When you picture a dedicated athlete, Moises is one of the first people that comes to mind. I am grateful for the opportunity to help guide and join him on his journey."


NICOLAS MELENDRES | Hayward, Calif. | Chabot College

Melendres arrives at Azusa Pacific with collegiate racing experience, as he ran most recently at Chabot College. At Chabot, he became one of the region's top 800m runners, as he placed top three in the event at the CCAA Regional meet. Additionally, he won his 800m section at the prestigious Stanford Invitational. Melendres set several personal bests during his time at Chabot, including the 800m and the 1500m. In the 800, he had a seven second improvement, posting a time of 1:51.49. In the 1500m, Melendres turned in a 37 second lifetime record, running a time of 3:54.77.

Melendres graduated from Chabot with an AA degree in Liberal Arts (3.95 GPA), and he plans on pursuing a degree in Allied Health at Azusa Pacific.

Melendres on his choice to continue his collegiate career at Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because it provided an immense opportunity for growth and development. I have come to love the people at Azusa Pacific, as well as the atmosphere present on campus. Azusa Pacific happened to be the perfect fit for me due to allowing me to pursue my academic career in the fullest way possible, as well as the great possibility of growth in athletics, for both track and cross country."

Coach Smith on Melendres: "Nico is incredibly positive, kind, caring, and highly intelligent. You combine that with his aggressive and confident racing to get a really dangerous athlete. He has some serious wheels and this cross country season will be focused on strengthening his aerobic engine. He could honestly surprise some people on the cross country course despite being known for shorter events. I am thrilled to work with Nico and see him being a key player on this team as both an athlete and a leader."


ERIC PEREZ | Apple Valley, Calif. | Victory Valley College

Perez will join the Cougars by way of Victory Valley College, where he was a First Team All-Inland Empire Conference runner and a CCCAA Individual State Qualifier in cross country. Prior to VVC, Perez attended Apple Valley High School, where he had a decorated high school career. He was a four-year letterwinner in cross country, and a three-year letterwinner in track. While running cross country at AVHS, Perez was a two-time Mojave River League First Team performer, a two-time All-Region honoree, and was named the 2020 Mojave River League Outstanding Senior Athlete. 

In the classroom, Perez was named to the Dean's List at VVC, and he earned the Senior Scholar Award at AVHS. At Azusa Pacific, Perez will study Kinesiology.

Perez on his decision to run for the Cougars: "I chose Azusa Pacific University because of its values, academics, coaches, location, and team atmosphere. I truly am thankful and blessed for everything and to be a part of this institution."

Coach Smith on Perez: "Eric may be one of the most attention-to-detail athletes I have coached/recruited. He loves this sport immensely and had a goal of finding a program which would give him the tools to chase this at the highest level. Although he is relatively new to the training at this level, I think he is going to surprise a lot of people and he is a diamond in the rough right now; under the radar. I love his attitude and how bought in he was immediately to the training. We are blessed to have Eric with us."


FELIX PERRIER | Grenoble, France | Institut d'administrations des entreprises Grenoble

Perrier brings significant international experience to the Cougar roster. In 2021, Perrier finished fourth at the national sub23 French steeplechase championship, and was 14th in the national all categories steeplechase French championship. He also set a pair of personal bests in 2021, running an 8:54 in the steeplechase, and a 10K record of 30:24. In 2018, Perrier finished sixth overall at the under 20 cross country French Championships, and he represented France at the 2018 World ISF Cross Country Championships, where he placed 26th.

In the classroom, Perrier earned honors in both high school and in his graduate degree. At Azusa Pacific, he will pursue a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Perrier on his choice to attend Azusa Pacific: "I chose Azusa Pacific because the feeling with Coach Smith was really great. I liked the team project, and the way of training and the mid term project. I am really happy that I can help the team, while also improving myself with a young and motivated team. Moreover, I have heard a lot of good things about Azusa Pacific from friends, and it is a great place to live. I believe this is a place in which it can help me reach the best expression of myself."

Coach Smith on Perrier: "Felix is a talent having already run a time which would qualify him to NCAA D2 Nationals. His Spring season went into late July so it's going to take a couple months to get him ready to compete again as I wanted him to take a break after his final track race, but he should be impacting in the postseason come November. Although we might sit him out of the first meet or two, aiming to get more training under us, I anticipate a strong finish."

Azusa Pacific is set to open its 2022 season in September. The Cougars first race will be Saturday, September 3 at the Mark Covert Invitational (hosted by Cal State Fullerton) in Brea, Calif. To view the complete 2022 cross country schedule, click here, and to see the full men's cross country roster, click here.