(SAN DIEGO) Avery Takata has had her interim tag removed and has been officially hired as PLNU Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, Athletic Director Jordan Courneya announced.
 
"Avery stepped into a very challenging situation as interim director, and from day one she approached it with a clear sense of purpose," Courneya said. "She began building the culture of the program around the vision she believes in, while earning the trust of the people in it. That kind of leadership takes steadiness, care, and a willingness to invest in people, and Avery has brought those qualities to the role."
 
Takata was appointed Interim Director of Cross Country and Track & Field on Aug. 13 just ahead of the start of the cross country season.
 
The PLNU alumna was previously hired as Track & Field Associate Head Coach in the spring of 2024 after previously spending two seasons as an assistant coach of her alma mater.
 
"I'm excited about the vision she has laid out for both Cross Country and Track & Field, Courneya said. "Trust and faith are at the center of that vision, and I believe they can create an environment where student-athletes are supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow.
 
"I'm confident in Avery's ability to lead these young women, helping them mature in their faith, develop as competitors, and become stronger members of our campus community."

In Takata's three seasons as Associate Head Coach, PLNU Women's Track & Field improved its finish at the PacWest Championships every year, culminating in this spring's fourth place finish, its best placement since 2019 and since the conference expanded.

During those three years, Takata coached five school records, 20 All-PacWest performances, 47 Top-10 marks in Track & Field program history, along with countless personal best marks.

"It feels surreal to be given this honor," Takata said. "In 2016, I sat in the stands watching the team compete as a recruit and I can't believe 10 years later I get to be the one leading them. Having a whole staff of people who watched me grow up and thought I was worthy of leading this team is the highest honor. It's hard to find words to describe it, but I feel so humbled at their belief in me."
 
As a PLNU student-athlete, Takata was an All-PacWest performer for the Sea Lions in the 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter relays. As a senior, she placed fourth at the PacWest Championships in the 400-meter hurdles after recording a personal-best time in the prelims.

"There's something special about seeing one of our own student-athletes move from competing for PLNU to leading a program here," Courneya said. "Avery understands this community because she was part of it, and she brings that experience with her as she takes on this responsibility. I was also impressed by her recruiting plan and the thought she has given to the kind of student-athletes who will fit and flourish at Point Loma in the classroom, in competition, and in the life of our campus.

"Both programs have made meaningful progress over the past few years. I'm grateful for the work that has gone into that growth, and I look forward to seeing what the programs can continue to achieve under Avery's leadership."
 
PLNU Women's Cross Country competes next at the NCAA West Regional on Nov. 21 after its fourth-place finish at the PacWest Championships.
 
PLNU Women's Track & Field has its first meet (Ron Kamaka Open) of the spring season scheduled for Feb. 20.
 
"The vision I have for this team is to carry on the legacy that previous coaches set before me and continue to unify the team as one," Takata said. "I'm most excited to continue building gospel-center leaders that breed a culture of servant-heartedness and compete in our sport at the highest level in both Cross country and Track & field."