LONG BEACH -- The Pacific West Conference released the cross country awards for the 2025 season and Ella Murray was named the Female Freshman of the Year.  Murray gets the first major award for VU in the program's history in the PacWest after finishing in second at the PacWest Championships.
 
Murray finished every race as either the top runner for the Lions or as the second-best placer in the lineup.  With only one race over 22 minutes, Murray had her best day at the final event of the year, as her 21:06 at the West Regional, a program-best at the 6K distance, easily beat her previous best of 21:26.2.  She was in the top 20 in every race except the UCR Highlander (37th) and placed inside the top 10 on five occasions, good for an average finishing position of 12.5.  She helped the Blue and Gold set a pair of team records, as the squad found a best 6K time of 1:48:40 at the UCR event and a 5K time of 1:31:31 at the VU Invite to open the campaign.
 
"I'm so proud of Ella," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins.  "She took a year off from running to follow God's call and do missions work with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) last year.  We were blessed to be part of the next chapter in her journey this fall.  Ella had an amazing season on the performance front, but even more importantly, she's been an amazing teammate, role model, and devoted follower of Christ!"
 
"It's been such a great and strong season with my team," relayed Murray.  "We've all worked so hard, and it's been so encouraging to see that effort pay off.  As a team, we've experienced that in the Lord's presence, there is truly fullness of joy, and that when we have Him, we lack nothing.  I'm excited for the seasons ahead and to watch us grow together, but even more, I can't wait to see how the Lord walks with us through it all.  It's only by His grace and love that I'm running here at Vanguard, and I'm constantly reminded that apart from Him, I can do nothing."
 
With the season over, the VU team gave out its annual awards and Murray was named as the women's Athlete of the Year.  Lauren Pahl was the Newcomer of the Year, Hailey Quiroz was named Most Improved, Haley Butenschoen was the Champion of Character, and Kate Baranski was Most Inspirational.  On the men's side, Rylan Starnes was the Newcomer of the Year, Jesse O'Campo was Most Improved and the Athlete of the Year, Ommar Arroyo was the Champion of Character, and Josiah Kirby was the Most Inspirational.