THIS YEAR: Junior Natali Contreras brings a much-needed veteran presence in the Cougar distance program, having appeared in 29 cross country and track & field meets over her 3 years in the program … Figures to give the Cougars distance depth during her second collegiate track season.
2020 (junior): Appeared in just one outdoor meet during the COVID-shortened season, clocking a 10:19.92 3000 at the Beach Open in Long Beach, a 24-second personal record.
2019 (sophomore): Competed in 7 meets as a 2019 sophomore, closing the season with PRs in the final 3 competitions … Clocked personal-bests of 38:46.93 in the 10,000 meters (PacWest Championships), 18:00.51 in the 5000 meters (Bryan Clay Invitational), and 4:57.85 in the 5000 meters (Highlander Invitational).
2018 (freshman): Appeared in 6 meets during his rookie track campaign at Azusa Pacific, running races in the 1500, 3000, 5000, and 10,000 … Finished eighth in the 10,000 with a 40:38.13 at the PacWest Championships, scoring a point and contributing to Azusa Pacific third straight conference crown … Clocked a 30:06.02 in the 10,000 at the Oxy Distance Carnival.
CROSS COUNTRY: Has competed in 15 cross country meets for Azusa Pacific over the past 3 seasons, recording a 6K best of 22:08.9 at the 2019 Capitol Cross Challenge … Was 6th at the 2019 PacWest Championship meet in Fullerton with a 22:10 … Was 37th at the 2018 PacWest Championships in Fresno, running a 24:00.7 … Was 52nd with a 23:43.2 at the 2017 PacWest Meet.
HIGH SCHOOL: Ran 4 years at Covina (Calif.) High for former Cougar standouts Wallace Henry (cross country) and Kevin Glaspy (track & field) … Was a member of 3 straight Valle Vista League cross country championship teams, all of which advanced to the California state finals … As a senior finished 52nd at the state cross country championships with a 5K personal-best of 19:41.0 … In track as a 2017 senior, was the Valle Vista League runner-up in the 800, with a personal-record 2:25.36, and in the 1600 (5:19.77) … Qualified for the CIF Championship Meet in both events … As a 2016 junior was fourth in both the 1600 and 3200 at the Valle Vista League Championships … Qualified for the Valle Vista League finals in both events as a freshman and sophomore as well … Received the CIF’s Champion for Character Award.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 3, 1999, in West Covina, Calif., to Carlos Contreras and Maria Corona … Has one sister (Desiree) … Majoring in Kinesiology … Would like to become a physical therapist … Enjoys drawing.
