The athlete: Emily is back in a Lion uniform, ready to begin her sophomore season…had a solid freshman season, improving in every meet she ran as a freshman…ran a 20:16 at the GSAC Championships, which set a PR for her...will serve as a team captain this season…ran for Head Coach Andrea Johnson at Redlands East Valley High School in Redlands, California…was REV High School’s Female Student Athlete of the Year and has a personal best of 18:37 in the 3-mile run…graduated in 2008 with a 4.3 GPA…also played five years of club soccer for the Los Gauchos soccer club…has ran cross country for five years…after an excellent track season in the spring, she should surprise in 2009.

The person: Emily was born November 15, 1989 to parents Jim and Leslie…has one younger brother and sister…major is undecided…loves to eat at "In-N-Out"…loves watching "Lost" and the movie "Bruno"…enjoys eating any dessert…a fan of Hulk Hogan…hobbies include fly fishing…says the most important characteristic for a person to have is integrity…person she most respects is Olya Zamucen because she has such a positive, original outlook on life…has learned in life that she’s the only person stopping her from her dreams and goals…running has taught her discipline.

Her thoughts: What I like most about Vanguard is my team.

Coach Bryan’s comments: "Emily is a wonderful young lady who is committed, hard working, and a true teammate. She is an outstanding student and possesses great leadership qualities. She is successful in all aspects of life and well balanced."

The athlete: Chelsea returns to Vanguard after performing quite well as a freshman in 2008…ran well in the GSAC Championships, as she posted a PR with a time of 18:44 (finishing 20th out of 91)…also performed nicely in the San Diego State Invitational, finishing eighth out of 82 runners…won the team’s Most Inspirational Athlete Award as a freshman…came to VU after an MVP season at Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana, California for Head Coach Derek DeCicco…high school record-holder in the mile and two-mile runs…has ran track for five years…also played three years of basketball and a year of varsity soccer…ran an 18:33 in the 3-mile during the CIF Finals…loaded with talent…will be a top contributor for the Lions throughout her career…another runner who performed well in track and field…just scratching the surface of her potential…expect a great season from Van Cott.

The person: Chelsea Elaine Van Cott was born on January 12, 1990 to parents Randy and Michelle…has one older sister…is a Business major…favorite bible verse is John 3:16…loves eating at "The Cheesecake Factory"…favorite color is brown and number is 15…favorite movie is "Little Mermaid" and TV show is "House"…hobbies include reading swimming, going to the beach, and painting…most admires her parents and high school coach…running has taught her to always give 100%, and in the long run it will help you…would one day like to run her own business or be in the CIA…learned in life that having a good attitude makes all the difference.

Her thoughts: I selected Vanguard because I felt at home here.

Coach Bryan’s comments: "Chelsea brings great Charisma and vitality to our team. She is passionate about the sport of distance running, and desires to take her talents to the next level this year. She is also very caring and loyal to her teammates."

The athlete: Megan is back at VUSC as a sophomore in 2009, after an excellent first season as a Lion…was one of the top runners for Vanguard as a freshman…ran a PR of 18:17, just missing All-GSAC honors at the conference championships (finished 16th out of 91)…impressively finished in eighth place at the Biola invite…earned her squad’s "Newcomer of the Year" award…came to VU from North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas…two-time district mile champion…ran for coaches Donna Banks and Candace Hoenig…Megan’s parents Kenny and Brenda were classmates of coach Bryan Wilkins at Evangel College…has run for four years…was one of the most talented prep athletes to ever sign with the Lions, and delivered as a freshman…possesses speed and aerobic strength…has tremendous range for a distance runner…brilliant start to her collegiate career, and poised to have another fantastic season in 2009.

The person: Megan Elizabeth Williams was born on March 11, 1990 to parents Kenny and Brenda…has two brothers, Josh and Judson…will be a Liberal Studies major…loves eating Mexican food…likes the color teal and the number 22…favorite movie is "Braveheart" and TV show is "The Office"…favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:31…Dallas Mavericks are favorite sports team, though Steve Nash is her favorite athlete…hobbies include hanging out with friends and reading…believes the most important characteristic for a person to have is integrity…most respects her dad because he has lots of character and he never fails to inspire her…running has taught her perseverance…life has taught her to cherish the people who love you…career goal is to become an elementary school teacher.

Her thoughts: What I like most about Vanguard are the people.

Coach Bryan’s comments: "Megan has tremendous work ethic and possesses great character and leadership qualities. She will be a front runner for the team this fall and will be a reliable and steady force in the Women’s quest for a National team berth."

The athlete: Olya returns to the VUSC Cross Country squad for her second season as a Lion…got increasingly better as the year wore on in 2008…posted her best time as VU athlete with a 22:01 mark at the GSAC Championships…came to Vanguard after running for Head Coach Rick Martinez at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California…graduated in 2008 with a 3.3 GPA…three-mile best is 21:02…also played soccer, tennis and ran track for three years…has run for four years…. will be counted on to contribute in the team’s top five in 2009…could have a breakout Cross Country season after performing well in track in the spring of 2008.

The person: Olya Lauren Zamucen was born December 16, 1988 in Russia…parents Stephen and Sheila adopted her from Russia when she was nine years old…has an older sister and a younger brother…plans to be a Psychology major…likes eating Mexican food at "El Ranchito"…likes the color blue and the number six…favorite TV Show is "Family Guy" and move is "Transformers"…favorite actress is Dakota Fanning…aside from running, Olya likes to snowboard…believes that kindness is the most important characteristic a person can have…life has taught her that you get what you put into it…running has taught her about hard work…would like to be a Psychologist or Journalist.

Her thoughts: My favorite thing about Vanguard is being with friends.

Coach Bryan’s comment: "Olya is a fun and loyal teammate. She is dedicated and loves the sport of distance running. Olya’s teammates love her and appreciate her authenticity and free spirit. We are blessed to have Olya in our program."

The athlete: Lauren comes to Vanguard from Serrano High School in Phelon, California…ran for Head Coach Ken Quinn…was named Serrano High’s Female Athlete of the Year as a senior…also received the Coach’s Award…graduated in 2009 with a phenomenal 4.3 GPA…has been running for seven years…personal bests include a 3-mile mark of 18:37, and a 1600m time of 5:20…also played basketball in high school, and was named All-Area for SHS…the Lions look for her to boost the scoring for the team as a true freshman…will provide significant contributions in 2009 and for years to come.

The person: Lauren Mishel Minnick was born on January 1, 1991 in San Diego, California to parents Troy and Melissa…has two younger sisters, Emily and Kaylee…majoring in pre-physical therapy at VUSC…loves to eat Mexican food…favorite movie is "Pride and Prejudice" and TV show is "So You Think You Can Dance"…likes the color blue and the numbers six and fourteen…favorite actress is Sandra Bullock…hobbies include singing and being outdoors…believes the most important characteristics for a person to have are compassion, love, honesty and trustworthiness…most respects FDR because of his ambition and strength to make life better…has learned that life is not about her, but all about God…running has taught her endurance and the importance of encouragement…career goal is to be a physical therapist.

Her thoughts: I chose Vanguard because of the Christian foundation, the location, and the athletics.

Coach Bryan’s Comments: "Lauren is a remarkable student-athlete with multiple talents. She is passionate about her walk with Christ ant has served her church and community in a variety of ways. Lauren is a born leader."

The athlete: Jazmine arrives at VU for her freshman season as a late convert to distance running…comes to Vanguard via Etiwanda High School in Etiwanda, California, where she ran for coach Jaime Martinez…converted to Cross Country from Soccer, which she also played for EHS…was named back-to-back MVP of her Cross Country team at Etiwanda…also earned the Athlete of the Year as a senior…led her team to the league title in the fall of 2008…holds the EHS school record for the 1600m with a time of 5:08…graduated in 2009 with a 3.83 GPA…has only been distance running for two years…the Lions believe they have found a diamond in the rough with Reyes…loads of potential…should be a great asset to the VU squad this year and in the future.

The person: Jazmine Diane Reyes was born on September 9, 1991 in Los Angeles, California…parents are Victor and Diane…has two younger brothers…plans on majoring in kinesiology at VUSC…nicknames are "Jazz" and Jazzy"…likes to eat pizza or anything from "Benihana"…favorite movie is "Finding Nemo" and TV show is "Cops"…favorite color is baby blue and number is four…roots for the LA Lakers and the Oakland Raiders…sports hero is Hines Ward…hobbies include spending time with friends and family…most respects her parents for raising her well…has learned in life not to take things for granted and take advantage of what you have…running has taught her mental toughness…career goal is to own a sports medicine business.

Her thoughts: I chose Vanguard because it is a small school in a good location.

Coach Bryan’s Comments: "Jazmine is just getting started as a distance runner and has many great years ahead of her. I am extremely excited to have her on our team. She is a hard worker with a sweet personality. She is very motivated and will contribute at a high level for the Lions."

The Athlete: Araceli comes to Vanguard as a freshman from Reseda High School in Reseda, California …graduated in 2009…tremendous high school career at RHS, where she earned several top honors…received the Regent Honor for excellence in athletics…won the Athlete of the Year award…also was named the 2009 Outstanding Female Scholar…ran a PR of 18:46 at the her High School state meet as a senior, an RHS record…also has solid marks of 11:09 in the 3200m and 5:24 in the 1600m races…competed at the state meet in both Cross Country and Track as a senior in 2008…only been running for two years…very talented runner who could challenge for top honors as a true freshman…the Lions have high hopes for Zainos in 2009.

Coach Bryan’s Comments: "Araceli is a tremendous addition to our team. She has the talent to be one of our front runners in her first season. We’re expecting big things from Araceli and we are blessed to have her in the mix."