Azusa Pacific University Athletics

THIS YEAR:  Sophomore defender Lauren Skelte earned a starting role midway through last season and will once again start in the middle of the Cougar defense working alongside Bays … Reads the game well and has good skills. 

2003:  Saw action in 15 games as a true freshman, starting 7 of them, including each of the final 6 games … Switched from the attack to the defense in midseason … Did not register a point but spearheaded a solid Cougar defense as the sweeper after All-American Stephanie Bays went down with an injury. 

HIGH SCHOOL:  Was a 2-year varsity standout at Sherwood (Ore.) High for head coach Bill Brown … Named All-Tri Valley League first team as a 2003 senior and honorable mention as a freshman when she was the only freshman on varsity … Sat out her sophomore and junior seasons with a knee injury … Also ran 1 year of track and played 1 season of tennis. 

PERSONAL:  Born April 13, 1985, in Portland, Ore., to Mark and Diana Skelte … Has 2 brothers (E.J. and Chris) … Her father, Mark, played tennis at Montana St. … Majoring in physical therapy and would like to become a physical therapist.