THIS YEAR: One of 5 new distance runners to join the program, freshman Diandra Carstensen has quite a pedigree, following in the footsteps of her All-American sisters Brianna and Kayla ... Is a well-balanced distance runner who has endurance, speed and a kick ... Should develop into a high-level contributor as her college career unfolds.
CROSS COUNTRY: Appeared in all 6 Azusa Pacific meets during her freshman fall season, including the NAIA Championship Meet in Vancouver, Wash. ... Like most of her teammates, clocked a 5K season-best on the relatively easy course of the Titan Invitational at Cal State Fullerton, recording an 18:54 ... Registered a 19:35 to finish 34th at the Vanguard Invitational in Costa Mesa ... Finished 35th at the GSAC meet with a 19:36 on the Woodward Park course, and 2 weeks later produced a 20:31 in less than desirable conditions at the NAIA meet.
HIGH SCHOOL: Like her sisters, was home-schooled through Liberty Christian Academy ... Competed unattached in open road races and youth track & field meets.
PERSONAL: Born March 22, 1992, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. ... Parents are Todd (electrical engineer) and Keena Carstensen (track coach) ... Has 2 older sisters (Brianna, Kayla) and a brother (Jared) ... Her sister Brianna was a 2-time cross country All-American for Azusa Pacific and an 11-time All-American in track & field, setting the school records in the 1500- and 5000-meters (since broken) ... Her mother is the track & field and cross country coach at Thousand Oaks High ... Majoring in psychology.
