Scholarship Objective

The Sierra Challenge Express Running Club is pleased to award scholarships to three distance runners enrolled and competing for Fresno City College, CSU Fresno, or Fresno Pacific University in cross country or track during the 2009-2010 academic year. A distance runner is defined as a cross country and/ or track athlete primarily competing in events of 800 meters or longer.  The recipient may be an incoming freshman or a continuing college athlete who will be studying and competing at one of the three local colleges listed above.  Each of the three honorees will be awarded a $2000 scholarship.

2010-2011 Sierra Challenge Scholarship Recipients

Eric Battle who is a Sophomore at Fresno State majoring in Political Science. 

• Eric has run Cross Country for 11 years. 
• 1600 m – 1 mile 4:15. 
• He has had excellent academic accomplishments
  

Carson Keller:  He is also a Sophomore at Fresno State. 

• Biology Major
• Has run XC for 10 years
• Carson has asthma but his running career has given him a stronger respiratory system so he could compete in running.
• 1600 m – 1 mile 4:40
• He has had excellent academic accomplishments
  

Isai Orea.  He is a Junior at Fresno Pacific College.

• Kinesiology Major
• Has competed 8 years in cross country
• 1600 m – 1 mile 4:21
• His Mom & Dad were in Mexico for his first 2 years of college.  They joined him this year and Isai thinks this will help his running.

Germay Tesfai.  He is a Freshman at Fresno City College.

• He ran for Hoover High School
• Has run XC 6 years
• He set school records for the 5K – 15:46
• Broke a 35 year old school record in the 1600 meter – 4:15
• Fastest high school runner in the valley
• His coach related that he was as fast as any high school runners at the State meets.

Amanda Johnson.  She is a Senior at Fresno Pacific University. 

• She is a History and Art Major
• Has run XC for 13 years
• Holds school records in the 800, 1500, and 3000 m steeplechase.
• She is an excellent student

Jayla Laidley.  She is a Freshman at Fresno Pacific University. 

• She ran track at Clovis West
• She completes in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter
• And in the 100 Meter hurdles and in the 300 meter hurdles. 
  

We wish you all the very best for the coming year!!!

Application Process

Download Application

Criteria (the following will be considered in choosing the scholarship recipients):

• Academic achievement- 25%
• Running ability (ability to compete at the collegiate level) - 35%
• Extra curricular activities, community involvement, and/or volunteer experience- 20%
• Need- 20%

Application Material (Please complete the following):

Application Form

• Transcripts- current high school or college academic transcripts
• A 1-2 page essay, written by the applicant, continuing the following statement:
• “I deserve this scholarship because...”
• Letter of Recommendation from a running coach, mailed separately and directly to the address below by the coach.

Award Notification:

Scholarship winners will be notified on or before June 30, 2010.  The Sierra Challenge Express Scholarship Committee will review all complete applications received by the deadline and will award the scholarships to those individuals which are deemed to excel most consistently with the criteria listed above.  More than one winner may come from the same school.  Recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony in July.  Distribution of funds will be contingent upon verification of enrollment (any official document from the college indicating current enrollment will suffice.)

Application Mailing Address:

Please contact Joe Brazil at 559-908-3472 or at joerun-1@comcast.net with any questions regarding the scholarship.

Deadline: All Materials must be received by June 1, 2010