Senior psychology major Katie Barrese takes to baking as her stress reliever.

Hidden talents are always fun to figure out, especially when it results in tasty treats from the most unexpected people. A.J. Licon, a junior movement and sports science major, has been hiding his gift for baking pretty well.

Junior cross country runner Alex Forbess is one of the most improved runners in the Southern California Intercol­legiate Conference and hopes to take the conference by storm next year.

The cross country men’s team finished in fourth place, setting two school records, while the women’s team finished 13th Saturday.

The 2011 cross country season is under way and La Verne’s team is on a mission to continue the improvement they have experienced under the direction of head coach Michael Atwood.

Finishing strong was exactly what the men’s cross country team did a few weeks ago as they were able to finish in seventh place at the NCAA Division III West Regional Championship held at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem, Ore.