Women's Cross Country

Monique Henderson, enters her 9^th year coaching at Golden West College and her 4^nd year as both the men’s and women’s head coach. In her first year coaching both programs, the Rustlers had their highest conference finishes in 20 years.  The team finished runner-up on both the men’s and women’s side at the 2021 OEC Conference Championships. Henderson, who also coached the sprinters, guided George Cervanka to wins in both the 100m and 200m at the 2021 championships, capturing Conference MVP. On the women’s side Keely Togafau earned Conference Field MVP when she won the hammer throw, shot put, and discus. Golden West earned an overall eleven conference victories.

Henderson also coached 2022 SoCal Regional finalist, Amara Muhammad, who set a college record in the 100m with a time of 12.28.

In the fall of 2021, the Lady Rustlers cross country team finished runner-up at the OEC Championships.  The following year, freshman Marikay Schwab won the OEC Championships, SoCal Regional Championships, and finished runner-up at the CCCAA State Cross Country Championships.  Schwab set the course record and new school record with her time of 17:34.2.  She also set a new school record with a 6000m time of 20:29.1.

At the 2023 OEC Track and Field Champions, sophomore Emily Ngyen captured 6 medals and earned the OEC Women’s Athlete of the Year.  At the same championships, Marikay Schwab received the OEC Women’s Most Valuable Track Athlete for winning the 800m, 1500m, and 5000m.

Henderson is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, she earned her gold medals as part of the women’s 4x400m relay teams in 2004 and 2008. In 2000, Henderson set the still standing National Scholastic High School record with a time of 50.74 in the 400m. That same year, she became the first high school athlete to make the Olympic track and field team since 1976.

She went on to have a successful career at UCLA by winning 9 PAC-12 titles and setting the NCAA Collegiate Record in the 400m.

Henderson earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University and also works as a professor at Golden West.  Henderson is also a Certified Coaches Education instructor for USA Track & Field Level 1 coaching schools.

She resides in Dana Point, Ca with her husband Aaron, their son AJ, and twins Layna and Lilah.