The Master’s University’s women’s cross country program has welcomed four new student-athletes for the upcoming 2017 season, which begins in early September.

Emily Bodine

Emily Bodine
Dixon, CA
Bodine joins TMU’s women’s cross country and track & field programs with an impressive resume crafted at Dixon High School, a member of the Golden Empire League. In cross country, Bodine helped lead her teammates to a Golden Empire League title while being named all-league and academic all-league in 2015 and 2016. In track & field, Bodine led Dixon to back-to-back league championships in 2016 and 2017, served as a team captain, and received all-league academic honors based on excellence in the classroom.

“Emily Bodine comes to us with a strong Christian background,” commented TMU head coach Zach Schroeder. “She is extremely excited to be part of a team that encourages each other in their walks with the Lord. Her enthusiasm for the sport and commitment to run in college were great traits that drew her to us. I am really looking forward to welcoming her to the team and am confident her family will be nothing but a great support for the next four years.”

Priscilla Gutierrez

Priscilla Gutierrez
Santa Clarita, CA
Gutierrez joins the Lady Mustangs’ cross country and track programs after enjoying a successful career at nearby Hart High School. On top of joining a long line of TMU cross country and track & field athletes that hail from the Santa Clarita Valley, Gutierrez also joins her older brother, Tim, who currently competes for TMU’s men’s cross country and track & field programs. When not competing, Gutierrez will major in Biological Sciences for a career as a surgical assistant.

“Priscilla comes from Hart High School, which has been a rich source of local talent for TMU,” Schroeder said. “Priscilla’s older brother, Tim, currently competes for our men’s program, and we are extremely excited about what the Lord has in store for Priscilla. She is marked by kindness and a love for the sport that will serve her well during her time as a Lady Mustang. I am really looking forward to helping Priscilla reach the height of her potential.”

Kayla Gray

Kayla Gray
Port Orchard, WA
Gray joins TMU’s women’s cross country and track & field programs after competing on the varsity level for South Kitsap High School, a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Looking ahead to her time at TMU, Gray plans to study Kinesiology & Physical Education with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy for a career as a physical therapist.

“Kayla is determined and knows what she wants,” commented Schroeder. “I believe she has a tremendous upside potential and we will look to her to be a key piece of our distance team. She is a hard worker that loves the Lord. We couldn’t be happier that she chose TMU.”

Rachelle Nelson (center)

Rachelle Nelson
Camano Island, WA
Nelson enters her time with the Lady Mustangs’ cross country and track & field programs with academic aspirations to major in Business Administration for a career in public relations or as an entrepreneur.

“Rachelle Nelson is the perfect match for our team,” said Schroeder. “She is a hardworking, disciplined, talented athlete with a great desire to please the Lord. I believe she will be a strong contributor to our women’s team and has the potential to be a key leader. We are very excited about the year to come and everything Rachelle will bring to our program.”

In 2016, TMU’s women’s cross country team placed second overall at the GSAC Championships for the fourth straight year with a collective time of 1:29:51, and placed 10th out of a field of 36 teams with a collective time of 1:33:04.26 at the NAIA National Championships.

Based on their outstanding performance, the Lady Mustangs finished the season ranked 10th in the NAIA Top 25 postseason poll.

Hoping to build on 2016’s outstanding marks, TMU looks to a strong future after graduating only two seniors and returning a handful of veterans.

Here’s a preview of the 2017 season’s opening events:

09/02/17: Women’s Cross Country @ Mark Covert Classic

09/16/17: Women’s Cross Country @ UC Riverside

09/30/17: Women’s Cross Country @ TMU XC Invitational

10/14/17: Women’s Cross Country @ Vanguard Invitational

10/21/17: Women’s Cross Country @ Warrior Invitational