Cougars Make Waves On Oahu

APU Cross Country Finishes Fourth on the Men’s Side, Fifth on the Women’s at PacWest Championships in Hawai‘i.

WAIPAHU, O'ahu - Azusa Pacific made its mark at the 2025 PacWest Championships with a pair of strong team finishes on a hot and humid Saturday morning at Hawai'i Country Club. The Cougar men placed fourth overall in a deep and competitive field, while the women's squad finished fifth in the team standings.

Lakeman Leads the Way

The Cougar men, two-time defending PacWest champions, battled through 77-degree temperatures and 75 percent humidity to post 72 points, finishing just behind Concordia (57) and Fresno Pacific (53).

Aaron Lakeman led the way for APU with a fifth-place finish in 25:07 on the 8K course, earning First Team All-PacWest honors in his debut cross country campaign. Sophomore Jonas Teeter joined him on the podium with an eighth-place finish at 25:19, suitable for Second Team All-PacWest recognition.

Behind them, the Cougars packed tightly with solid performances across the board, from Erick Leal (17th Place and Third Team All-PacWest) and Kyle Galinis (19th place and Third Team All-PacWest).

Biola claimed the men's team championship with 35 points behind individual champion Melt von Molendorff (24:33.6).

Godina Earns First Team All-PacWest

On the women's side, Sophia Godina delivered a standout performance for the Cougars, crossing the line fifth overall with a time of 21:56 in the 6K championship race. Her finish secured First Team All-PacWest honors, leading APU to a fifth-place team finish (132 points).

Godina, who earned her second career All-PacWest finish, placed among the conference's elite in a field dominated by nationally-ranked Biola and Point Loma.

Naomi Sotelo and Sofia Vasquez would round out the three Cougars finishing in the Top-25 with 23rd and 25th place finishes.

Biola captured its fourth straight PacWest women's title with 42 points, followed by Point Loma (69), Vanguard (95), Concordia (110), and Azusa Pacific (132).

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Sofia Vasquez: Freshman

Kyle Galinis: Senior

Aaron Lakeman: Redshirt Freshman

Erick Leal: Sophomore

Jonas Teeter: Sophomore

Sophia Godina: Senior

Naomi Sotelo: Junior

Players Mentioned

Sofia Vasquez
: Freshman

Kyle Galinis
: Senior

Aaron Lakeman
: Redshirt Freshman

Erick Leal
: Sophomore

Jonas Teeter
: Sophomore

Sophia Godina
: Senior

Naomi Sotelo
: Junior