Biola University Signs South Salem Runner

Thede placed seventh and eighth in state last year in the 3,000- and 1,500-meter races.

South Salem runner Katie Thede (pictured on the left) and Erika Perez of El Modena High School have signed with Biola University. Photo courtsey: Biola University Athletics

LA MIRADA, Calif. - Biola University cross country coach Jonathan Zimmerman announced the signing of a pair of standout runners this week in Erika Perez (Orange, CA/El Modena HS) and Katie Thede (Salem, OR/South Salem HS).

Both are expected to compete on both the cross country and track teams starting in 2007-08.

Perez, a three-time All-Century League athlete, helped the Vanguards to a top-15 finish in the California State Division II Cross Country Championships this past fall.

She also earned Scholar-Athlete honors for the past three years while running under the direction of coaches John Ahern and Tom Weber at Medena.

“Erika is a solid student-athlete and brings a great deal of experience with her,” said Zimmerman. “She has certainly been through the fire of competition in the Century League, Orange County and the Southern Section.”

Thede, an all-Region athlete in both track and cross country in 2006, placed in the top 10 in both the 1500 and 3000 at the 2006 Oregon 4A State Championships last spring.

“We are very pleased with Katie’s decision to attend Biola,” said Zimmerman. “She is an outstanding competitor and has the potential to make an immediate impact on the Biola cross country and track teams.”

The Biola University women’s cross country team placed sixth at both the Golden State Athletic Conference and the NAIA Region II races this past season and sent two runners to the NAIA National Championships.

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