Entering her third season as an assistant coach with the Cerritos College track and field and cross country programs is Ludi Valdez. An accomplished college distance runner college, Valdez came in third place in the 10,000 meters as a junior at Cal State Long Beach at the Big West Conference Track & Field Championships in 2006. Valdez was a West Regional qualifier in the 5000 meters with a personal best time of 16:48. Valdez was also a four-time individual California Community College Athletic Association state champion and a member of two cross country state championship teams. Competing in track and field for Orange Coast College, Valdez won the 10,000 meters and 5000 meters, while she was a runner-up in the 1500 meters in 2005. As a freshman in 2004, she was the 3000-meter steeplechase state champion. Valdez was part of back-to-back state championship teams in cross country in 2003 and 2004 and was undefeated in all community college cross country races in 2004.

In cross country, Valdez was named the Orange Empire Conference Most Valuable Player after guiding her team to the state championship, Southern California championship and conference championship, along with winning the individual state championship her sophomore season.  A product of Estancia High, Valdez captured the 300 meter low hurdles championship in the Golden West League championship as a senior.

Valdez, 31, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Cal State Long Beach in 2008. She and her husband Kevin Word were married on April 12, 2014 and they reside in Anaheim.