Highlights

• 2x NAIA National Champion (XC 2012, 5K 2013)
• 5x NAIA All-American
• 8x GSAC Individual Champion

One of the greatest dynasties in the history of the Golden State Athletic Conference fittingly began with one of The Master’s University’s all-time great athletes. At TMU, John Gilbertson was the school’s first two-time NAIA national champion, a five-time NAIA All-American, and an eight-time individual GSAC champ. He was also a cornerstone of a men’s cross country program that won conference titles in 2010, 2011, and 2012, sparking an unprecedented run of 15 consecutive GSAC crowns. The streak remains active. 

Gilbertson finished his historic career with an unforgettable senior season. In 2012, he went undefeated in cross country, ultimately becoming the first American-born runner in 23 years to win the NAIA national championship. In the spring, he won his second national title, this time in the men’s 5,000 meters. In his career, Gilberston also won the Stanford cross country invitational and qualified for the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He later competed professionally with the Mammoth Track Club.

“He was a fierce, fierce competitor with remarkable closing speed,” said former TMU head coach Zach Schroeder. “He was the type of individual who would fight hard and finish unbelievably big.” And for Gilbertson, all of the effort centered on giving glory to Christ.

“He had an insatiable desire to glorify the Lord through winning,” Schroeder said. “He couldn’t stand the idea of someone being on the podium who didn’t have the message that he had to proclaim.” 

Gilbertson lives in Saugus, California, with his wife, Rene, and their two children, Abigail and Lucas. They attend Grace Baptist Church, and John works as a Deputy Sheriff for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.