HIGH SCHOOL: A 2011 graduate of Royal High School in Simi Valley, where he competed on the cross country, track and field and soccer teams for the Highlanders ... Was a First Team All-Marmonte League performer after finishing third at the league cross country championships as a senior ... Was also a team captain and named the team's MVP after his final season ... Led RHS to Marmonte League titles in 2007 and 2009 and a runner-up finish in 2008 ... Despite finishing second, that team went on to place third at CIF and fifth at the state championships ... Finished third in the 1,600 at the Marmonte League Track Championships as a senior ... Was a three-time all-league honoree on the soccer team.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 22, 1993 in Van Nuys ... Parents are Mark and Jill Upson ... Has an older brother named Ryan and a twin sister named Kelly ... Kelly is a sophomore on the Chico State cross country team ... Is a big fan of the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team and star Landon Donovan ... Enjoys watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy ... Steak is his favorite meal ... Can be found playing guitar, writing songs or playing soccer when he's not running ... His biggest influences are God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit, and his family and friends ... Is a mechanical engineering major in Sixth College ... Plans to pursue a career in the field in the future.