Azusa Pacific Is Trying to Take 4th Title in Row

Azusa Pacific University could become the first NAIA school to win four straight national titles in any sport when its men’s track team competes Thursday through Saturday at Arkansas State.

Coach Terry Franson also knows that this is probably his last opportunity to coach a contending squad for a few years because he loses four-year All-Americans Christian Okoye and Mike Maynard. Both hope to go out with a bang by challenging the American collegiate records in the discus and hammer.

On paper, the race is too close to call between Azusa Pacific and Wayland Baptist of Plainview, Tex. Wayland was the favorite a year ago but “they made some mistakes and we were steady,” Franson said. “The experience is still with us, but it will not be as much of a factor.”

Wayland is superior in the sprints, relays, hurdles and is very strong in long jump and javelin. Azusa has the advantage in most field events and has good depth in most of the sprints and relays.

The Azusa Pacific men won their fifth straight NAIA District III title last week, and the most pleasant surprise came from Ted Campbell, who set a district record in the decathlon.

Campbell, an All-American in 1983, had prostate cancer surgery in 1984 and weighed 120 pounds just 16 months ago. He has made a remarkable recovery and seems to be getting stronger each week.

“Three weeks ago he was a question mark,” Franson said. “(Now) he’ll be a contender to win the thing. We should pull some big points there.”

Campbell gets support from freshman Dave Dangleis, who finished second to Campbell in the district meet and could score well at the nationals.

Okoye brings a best of 199-8 and has a best of 219-7 in the hammer. He also qualified in the shotput. Maynard holds the school record in the hammer at 231-4, which is within range of the national record. “I hope to score 50 points in the four throws,” Franson said.

He also expects to get points from sprinter Herbie Akpom, who has qualified in five events, triple jumper Roosevelt Kent, who holds the school record of 51-3, and the relays.

“It’s exciting. If we do well and Wayland does well, it could come down to the mile relay,” Franson said.

The Azusa Pacific women, who won their third straight District III title, hope to place in the top five for the first time. They are led by sophomore Airat Bakare, who turned 18 Tuesday. She has qualified in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 and holds school records in each event. Her best is the 400 where she ran 52.15 at Saturday’s Pepsi meet, fourth among all collegians this season. Joey Classen could score points in the shot and discus, and Maura Bookout will compete in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters.

Small College Notes

Cal Lutheran’s baseball team ended the season with a bunch of offensive school records, including Jay Knight’s .433 average, Ed Howard’s 51 runs batted in and a team batting average of .335. . . . Occidental’s Sue Hulse was named SCIAC tennis player of the year. . . . Oxy’s tennis team placed second to Trenton State in the Division III national women’s finals. . . . Biola catcher Matt Suttle finished his career with five school hitting records and a .351 four-year average, fourth-best. . . . Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ athletes of the year: swimmer Tom Harrison is Claremont McKenna outstanding male athlete; runner Diana Thomas is Claremont McKenna outstanding female athlete; swimmer Dave Lewis is Harvey Mudd outstanding athlete; basketball player Shelley Wetzler is Scripps athlete of the year; and baseball player Eric Exner, who doubles as a trainer, won the Bill Dickinson Award for community service. . . . Pomona-Pitzer athletes of year: basketball player Dave DeCesaris and swimmer Lyn Cunliffe. Football-baseball player Carl Curtis won the athletic excellence award. Basketball player Libby Gates and golfer Charley Black won scholar-athlete awards. . . . Ed Gibbons has been named an assistant coach to Larry Lopez for next season. Gibbons played at Cal State Fullerton.