Orozco, a local 5-9 rookie from Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, has been a big part of the Lions success this season. With cross country scoring based on the top five finishers of each team, the fourth and fifth place finishers are just as important as the first and second, and depth is the key to a great team.

VU’s head coach Bryan Wilkins understands what Orozco’s presence has meant to the Lions this season. "Fernando has been a tremendous addition to the men’s squad. Although just a freshman, he has competed at a high level and helped make us a much better team. I can always count on him to put everything he has into each race for the team’s sake."

Another factor in a team’s success is continuous improvement throughout the season and that has been the story of Orozco’s first season as he has gotten faster in every race. Beginning the season with an 8k time well over 27 minutes, Orozco set his newest personal record time of 26:32 at the Biola Invitational last week, finishing fourth for the Lions and 28th overall in a field of 112 outstanding runners at one of the most competitive NAIA meets in history.

"Fernando has consistently scored in every meet and is the only Lion to establish a personal best time in every meet this season, including his current PR of 26:32 on the challenging Irvine Park Course."

Ranked as high as No. 18 this season, the Lions are hoping to continue improving as they get ready for the biggest meet of the season, the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship meet at Fresno next weekend. Running in his first GSAC Championship meet, Orozco hopes to add another PR to his resume and the team knows that the faster VU’s Lion of the Week runs, the higher his team finishes.