Michael Atwood
	Men's Cross Country Coach matwood@laverne.edu (909) 593-3511, ext. 4667

Michael Atwood is in his third season as head coach of the Leopard men's and women's cross country teams.

No stranger to small college athletics, Atwood comes to ULV from Biola University, where he competed at the undergraduate level. He also earned both his bachelor's (2004) and master's degrees (2007) from Biola. He earned his bachelor's in kinesiology while earning his master's in education.

As an assistant coach at Biola, Atwood enjoyed a successful stint as he developed workout and competition schedules along with various other administrative duties. While at Biola, Atwood coached female athletes who qualified for their first National Championships in the 3,000m Steeplechase and 1500m races. 

In addition to his coaching duties, he remains active competitively as a member of the Reebok Pacers Elite Racing Team, a semi-professional running team based out of Southern California. He is currently on the Mt. SAC Relays advisory board, the committee that helps run the prestigous Mt. SAC Relays.

Atwood currently lives in Brea, CA. In his spare time he enjoys Hot Rods, custom cars, and pin-striping when not running or coaching. He has a 1950 International L-110 truck that he and his father are restoring, and a 1958 AMF Roadmaster bicycle that he uses during Cross Country practice sometimes. His favorite band is Social Distortion and enjoys the styles and culture of the 1940's and 1950's.

	Jason Tavarez
	Assistant Women's Cross Country Coach jatavarez@gmail.com (909) 593-3511, ext. 4668

Jason Tavarez enters his 3rd year as the Cross Country Graduate Assistant for the Leopards. Tavarez graduated from Klein High School in 2003, where he was a 2-year letter winner in Track and Field. During his high school career, Tavarez earned honors as a regional qualifier in the 4x400m relay in 2002 and a year later, helped his team become the Texas Relay Champions in the 4x800m relay, finishing with one of the fastest times in the nation.

Tavarez attended the University of Texas at Austin and received his undergraduate degree in 2007. He graduated with a major in History and a minor in Biology with an emphasis in Evolutionary Science. Jason is currently a 3rd year graduate student in the Law program at the University of La Verne.

Jason currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. In his free time, Tavarez loves hanging out with friends, reading, writing and watching sports on TV. He was also a guest-lecturer for Sarah Sawyer’s Critical Thinking class in the Spring of 2009.

	Kara Henry
	Assistant Women's Cross Country Coach