Mercedes Arnold
THIS YEAR: Freshman Mercedes Arnold is a promising jumper loaded with potential ... Can compete in the high, long and triple jumps ... Out of the gate is likely to qualify for the NAIA championship in triple jump, but should develop into a national level competitor in the other jumps in the coming years.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at Colony High in Ontario, Calif. ... Earned conference honors in both track & field and volleyball ... As a 2008 senior led the Titans to the Mt. Baldy League track & field championship and was named league MVP ... Finished second in the triple jump (37' 3", ranked among the top 90 prep marks for 2008) at the CIF Southern Section Division II Championships ... Other personal bests include 17' 1" in the long jump and 5' in the high jump ... Lettered 4 seasons in volleyball and was named All-Mt. Baldy League first team as a senior ... Was a key player in the Titans securing their first-ever Mt. Baldy League championship during her junior season ... Twice received all-league honorable mention in volleyball ... Served as ASB president her senior year.
PERSONAL: Born May 24, 1990, in Pomona, Calif. ... Parents are Brian and Monique Arnold, both Azusa Pacific alums ... Her father was a 2-time NAIA champion and 11-time All-American at Azusa Pacific from 1984 to 1988, establishing a reputation as the finest 400-meter hurdler in Cougar track & field history ... He was also a member of 4 NAIA outdoor national championship teams ... Mercedes has 3 brothers (Staphon, an All-American high jumper for the Cougars, Devin, Dominique) and a sister (Martianna) ... Has not declared a major ... Involved in Young Life.
