Rojas joins Lions

Humberto Rojas, who won the state cross country individual title the

last two years as a runner for Orange Coast College, will continue

his athletic career in Costa Mesa when he suits up for Vanguard

University this fall.

Rojas is one of nine cross country and track and field athletes

Bryan Wilkins, who coaches both men’s and women’s teams in both

sports at Vanguard, has entering for next school year.

Rojas, an Estancia High product, and Grace Jepngetich, from Kenya,

figure to make the biggest impact. Rojas claimed the state title in

the 1,500 meters while at OCC. Jepngetich, who will be a freshman for

the women’s cross country and track teams, has a 5K personal best of

17 minutes, 56 seconds, while posting solid times in the 800 (2:16),

1,500 (4:37) and 3,000 (10:11).

Freshmen Rebecca Sopp and Kaylynn Gallo will run for both teams

while Olivia Amstad, a member of Vanguard’s second-ranked women’s

tennis team last spring, will try her hand at cross country for the

first time.

Freshmen Tiffany Foley of Chandler, Ariz., and Alexandria Hartz

from Eaton, Colo., could also make a sudden impact. Foley, who

graduated earlier this year from Valley Christian High, finished

first in the 100 and second in the 200 at the Arizona state meet.

Hartz tallied personal-bests at Eaton High in the 100 hurdles

(16.63), 300 hurdles (50.00) and 200 (27.04).

Two collegiate rookies join the men’s side. Noah Jenks, from

Randolph, N.J., will compete in hurdles while Jason Thomas will run

cross country and the 5,000 in track.