January 2008 Archives
California Baptist finds itself in a familiar place in the NAIA Softball Preseason Top 25 released Wednesday. The Lancers are in the top five again as they start the season at No. 2. Defending national champion, Oklahoma City, takes the top spot while Golden State Athletic Conference rival Point Loma Nazarene starts 2008 out at No. 3. Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) and Simon Fraser (B.C.) round out the top five.
The Lancers did receive one first-place vote and a total of 313 points, but the Stars received 12 first-place votes and 324 points.
Other notables in the top 25 are No. 10 Vanguard, No. 19 Biola and No. 25 Concordia.
The four-time defending Golden State Athletic Conference champions kick off their season Friday when they travel to St. George, Utah to play in the Red Rock Invitational. The Lancers will play Northwest Nazarene and Dixie State, both Friday and Saturday, with games at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days.
TODD MARTIN
Azusa Pacific
Basketball
The lowdown: The 6-foot-7 senior power forward has started 10 of 14 games and is averaging 11.2 points and 5.1 rebounds for the NAIA Cougars (9-5). Is coming off an 18-point, 8-rebound showing in an 87-57 win over Hope International. Had season highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds Dec. 28 against Warner Pacific. Averaged 7.8 points and 3.2 rebounds with a season high of 19 points against Cal Baptist last season as a junior. Spent his freshman season at Division I Albany and sophomore year at Troy (Ala.). Carries a 3.5 GPA. Was an all-Baseline League and all-CIF selection at Upland, helping the Highlanders to a CIF title as a sophomore in 2001.
Age: 23
Hometown: Upland
High school: Upland High School, 2003
Major: Poltical science
Favorite athlete: Pete Maravich
Favorite team: USC football:
Most memorable sports moment: Playing for coach Justin Leslie and his wonderful sidekicks this year.
Most embarrassing sports moment: Many crowds have called me Will Ferrell because they think I look like him.
Role model: My father (Paul Martin)
Last good book you read: The Autobiography of Winston Churchill
Favorite movie: The Departed
Can’t miss television shows: The Office, House, The Amazing Race, Kitchen Nightmares
What’s in your CD player/iPod: Rush, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys
Favorite vacation spot: Maui
Favorite food: My girlfriend’s taco salad
Celebrity you most want to meet: Vince Vaughn
Best advice anyone has given you: Never Give Up
Pre-game ritual or superstition: I joke around and practice my stand-up comedy routine with my teammates because it loosens the tension.
Other hobbies: playing guitar, watching movies, playing cards
What do you want to be doing in five years: Hopefully playing pro ball overseas. If not, fixing cars as a mechanic.
- Compiled by Michelle Gardner
