Avery Takata was elevated to Interim Director of Cross Country and Track & Field ahead of the 2026-27 school year. She previously was hired as Associate Head Coach for PLNU Women's Track & Field in the spring of 2024, helping elevate the program.
In 2025, Takata helped PLNU to three new school records that were set in the 5K, 10K and 4x100 meters. The team put together 25 Top-10 performances in events in program history, to go along with two individual PacWest titles.
In 2026, Point Loma improved its finish at the PacWest Championships to fourth, its best since 2019 and since the conference expanded. PLNU put together eight All-PacWest performances, while Maddie Reeves became the program's first NCAA Division II All-American and first Sea Lion to compete in multiple events at the NCAA Championships.
She specializes in coaching sprints, hurdles and relays.
Takata, a former standout on the track for Point Loma, previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach for her alma mater.
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.
"I am more honored than anything else to be entrusted with caring for and developing the Point Loma track team," Takata said. "I never thought I would have the opportunity to get to take part in building something that has been so special to me.
"As an athlete on this team, I grew in so many ways that I hope to get to facilitate in current and future athletes."
