AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific women's cross country will enter the 2025 season ranked No. 4 in the PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 102 points and one second-place vote. The Cougars are coming off a fourth-place finish at last year's conference championships and will look to climb higher behind a young but determined roster led by Sofia Vasquez and Sophia Godina, both tabbed as Athletes to Watch this fall.

First-year head coach Jebreh Harris guided the Cougars to a strong showing in 2024, capped by standout performances from senior Jessica Kampman Walzcak, who swept the PacWest honors as Runner of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and went on to place third at the NCAA West Regional. With Kampman Walzcak graduated, Harris and the Cougars will turn to new leaders to carry the mantle.

Vasquez, a Third Team All-PacWest honoree in 2023, returns with championship-level experience, while Godina is coming off a strong performance at last year's PacWest Championships, where she finished 15th overall. Together, the duo provides the Cougars with a reliable core as Harris continues to build a balanced roster capable of competing at both the conference and regional levels.

The PacWest coaches once again tabbed Biola as the team to beat. The three-time defending champions received 11 of 12 first-place votes and 143 points after winning last year's title with just 29 points. The Eagles also finished third at the NCAA West Regional and qualified for nationals.

Point Loma, steadily improving in each of the last three seasons, landed in second with 129 points and one first-place vote, while Concordia is third (122). Both programs return experienced lineups and boast multiple all-conference runners.

Azusa Pacific's placement in fourth (102 points) reflects both the talent the Cougars bring back and the respect they've earned as consistent contenders. Fresno Pacific (93) and Vanguard (84) round out the top six.