Azusa Pacific University Athletics

THIS YEAR: One of the Cougars’ top distance runners, senior Elise Larson is gunning for spot in the NCAA championship meet field for both the indoor and outdoor seasons … An experienced runner, who has competed in over 45 races as a Cougar … Is a 9-time All-PacWest honoree, including 4 consecutive years in cross country, including first team honors as a senior … Owns career bests of 4:39.92 (1500),
9:59.11 (3000), 17:15.13 (5000, eighth best in APU history), and 36:06.13 (10,000, fifth best in APU history).

2018 (junior): As a 2018 junior at the PacWest Championships, finished third in the 10,000 (37:34.45) and fourth in the 5000 (17:36.69) … Clocked a personal best of 17:15.13 in the 5000 at the Oxy Invitational … Was eighth in the Mt. SAC Relays 10,000 with a personal-best 36:06.13.

2017 (sophomore): As a 2017 sophomore at the PacWest Championships, was second in the 10,000 (37:59.16) and fourth in the 5000 (season-best 17:46.32). 2016 (freshman): As a 2016 freshman, was sixth in the 5000 (18:27.98) at the PacWest Championships … In her first showing as a Cougar, clocked a 10:31.11 in the 3000 at the Rossi Relays.

CROSS COUNTRY: Competed in 4 NCAA West Region Championships, finishing 53 rd (2018), 50 th (2017), 98 th (2016), and 50 th (2015) … At the PacWest Championships she was third on the 3K course in 2018, 11th in 2017, 16th in 2016, and 15 th in 2015.

HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 seasons of cross country and track & field for head coach Scott Brandon at Lafayette High in Wildwood, Mo. … Was a 3-time all-state honoree in track & field and gathered another all-state recognition in cross country … Ran the opening legs on the Lancers’ 2015 4x800 that finished second at the Missouri 5A state championship meet.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 9, 1996, in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Kevin and Cheryl Larson … Has 2 brothers (Benjamin, Peter) and a sister (Sarah) … Is a Nursing major … Earned the Glory of Missouri Award which annually recognizes 14 high school students, each representing one of the virtues engraved in the House Chamber that make up the Glory of Missouri … Plays the piano and enjoys cooking.