APU’s fall sports teams have high expectations
Another season of Azusa Pacific athletics is right around the corner and teams are filled with unwavering optimism and championship expectations. Led by two PacWest projected number one squads, volleyball and men’s soccer, and the GNAC projected number one football team, this semester of APU sports should yield outstanding results.
Cross Country
Consistently finishing near the front of every race last year, cross country is one of APU’s more decorated athletic teams. Led by head coach Preston Grey, both the men’s and women’s cross country squads will rely heavily on underclassmen to step up and take control of races. Seven of the 10 members on the men’s team are underclassmen, along with six of the nine women’s team members.
This is an exciting time for APU cross country because the future of the program will be on full display this semester. There are high expectations for these underclassmen but there is also a strong veteran presence on both teams to help lead the way through difficult moments of the season, as well as individual competition.
Beginning with a highly anticipated rivalry at the Biola Invitational on Sept. 7, APU’s cross country team will have to be prepared to compete before the season has even begun.
Football
As usual, the Cougar football team brings palpable excitement for the start of their season, not only from the school but also from others in the conference, after APU was voted number one in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Cougars made a huge addition to their coaching staff in five-year NFL veteran Cory Harkey, who specializes in coaching tight ends and will contribute to special teams as well. Harkey will bring an extensive level of football experience to the Cougars’ coaching staff and players.
The Cougars ended last season with a victory over 18th ranked Central Washington to clinch the GNAC title and punch their ticket to the program’s second-ever NCAA Division II playoffs. However, they fell short of expectations, losing to sixth-seeded Tarleton in the first round. The Cougars know they are capable of more this season and look to go the distance in the postseason. With past experience, new talent and a fresh slate, this Cougars football team has realistic championship expectations.
APU Football will begin its season on Sept. 7 at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas.
Soccer
The defending PacWest champion men’s soccer team looks to repeat this upcoming fall and all signs point to this being a very real possibility. Last season, the Cougars were undefeated in PacWest play, going 11-0, leading the squad to be picked to repeat as champions after a dominant preseason.
According to the Athletics Department, “Azusa Pacific also had six players that were voted onto the preseason All-PacWest team and swept all three of the major preseason awards as well. Arturo Astorga was voted as the preseason Player of the Year, Isaac Bawa was voted as the Preseason Defender of the Year and Brendan Fix was voted as the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.”
The women’s team has been less consistent but finished the 2018 season in fifth place with a 6-3-2 record in conference play. This year, the team was projected to finish third which is a step in the right direction.
Led by senior Emmy Koflanovich, who was just named to the preseason All-PacWest team, the team will feature seven new freshmen. With a mix of new talent and veteran leadership, there are high hopes for APU women’s soccer this fall.
Both men’s and women’s soccer will begin their regular season campaign against Cal St. Dominguez Hills on Sept. 5.
Swimming and Diving
Swimming and diving finished last season on a high note, with APU earning six PCSC individual titles and breaking seven school records in a fourth-place finish at the conference championships.
For this upcoming season, veteran leadership will fall onto the shoulders of seniors Samantha Escalante, Anaïs Hacobian and Madison Johnson, as they look to finish their collegiate careers on a strong note. The team will also compete with seven freshmen and a healthy mix of sophomores and juniors, meaning they will be balanced and competitive at all levels.
The swim and dive team is looking to take the next big step this year. The program features significant talent, but it’s time to progress forward and become the regular favorite at every competition they attend, whether individually or as a group.
The Swimming and Diving team will begin their 2019 season at the PCSC Relays and Pentathlon in La Mirada, California on Oct. 4 through Oct. 5.
Volleyball
The women’s volleyball team is the third APU fall squad to be ranked top in their conference in the preseason projections after receiving 10 out of 12 votes in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. For this team, anything short of a championship is considered a loss.
Last season, APU finished 24-7and won the PacWest title. They will essentially pick up right where they left off, with 12 returning players providing familiarity and experience.
Leading the charge are seniors Julianne Miller and Sara Wagenveld. Both put their talent on display in a dominant preseason. Miller received preseason player of the year honors and Wagenveld was named to the preseason All-PacWest team.
Last season the Cougars were great at dominating during wins, but also suffered several big losses. If APU can keep those tough matches closer, they could be even more dangerous and go deep into the NCAA Division II West Regional at the end of the season.
Volleyball will begin their highly anticipated regular season with the Cougar Classic at Cal St. San Marcos on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7.