Women's Track and Field

Mapes, Rakocevic Run and Throw Their Way to Awards

Biola's Bethany Mapes sizzles in the 5K, while APU's Kristina Rakocevic flings the discus 175-8.

Biola's Bethany Mapes ran a personal best 16:21 in the 5K to lead a list of impressive track performances in the PacWest this week, while Azusa Pacific's Kristina Rakocivic leads a group of solid conference throwers after a fling of 175-8 in the discus.  

2026 Results/Schedule
TFRRS Event Lists
 
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Biola's Bethany Mapes, Sr., El Cajon, Calif.                            
Biola's Bethany Mapes ran an impressive 16:21 in the 5000 meters at the Stanford Invitational. Mapes set the Biola school record and additionally shaved 8 seconds off her 5000 personal best. Her current PR places her at #1 in the PacWest and #3 in the NCAA DII listings . Mapes also ran the second fastest time in the 800 in the conference this year, clocking in at 2:13.38 at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic across the bay that weekend.

FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Azusa Pacific's Kristina Rakocevic, Grad., Montenegro        
Azusa Pacific's Kristina Rakocevic had the top discus throw in the conference last week to continue her impressive debut season for the Cougars. The graduate transfer from Miami put forth another strong effort in the elite section of women's discus at the UCSD Triton Invite, as the only non-D1 athlete in the event, placed 5th with a throw of 53.55 meters (175' 8"). Her current mark leads the PacWest and Divison II in the discus as well.

NEWS AND NOTES: Fresno Pacific’s Brooklyn Epperley was the discus event winner at the Stanford Invitational, with a throw of 45.29m...Concordia's Julia Pisenti broke her own school record in the discus - 50.98m at the Triton Invite hosted by UC San Diego this past weekend... FPU’s Nydia Chance ran 11.59 in the 100 meters at the Texas Relays, the top conference thus far... Maddie Reeves of Point Loma set the 10K program record this weekend, beating it by 36 seconds and now holds the #4 time in NCAA DII...Sunbird Clara Wagner tallied 4,724 points in the heptathlon at Cal Berkely's multi-event. 

LOOKING AHEAD: PacWest teams will continue to launch into the outdoor season, competing in a variety of meets this weekend that include the Bryan Clay Multis at Azusa Pacific, the San Diego State Aztec Invite, and the Wildcat Invitational in Chico.

PACIFIC WEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: The 2026 conference meet will be hosted by Point Loma this year in San Diego, April 23-25.