NORTHRIDGE - 2010
Joel Darden redshirted the indoor and outdoor seasons for the Matadors.

TAFT HIGH SCHOOL
Darden earned three varsity letters in track at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif. ... was a four-time winner of the Coaches Award (2005-09) ... the Toreadors track team won city championships in 2007 and 2009 ... coach was Richard Rucker ... graduated in 2009.

PERSONAL
Born September 24, 1991 in West Hills, Calif. ... parents are Sandra Cook Darden and Michael Patrick Darden ... has one older brother, Joshua and three older sisters, Marissa, Jessica and Lindsey ... is a cousin of singer Johnny Mathis ... favorites include Manchester United and forward Wayne Rooney, the TV show "Top Gear" and the movie "Gangs of New York" ... says his greatest moment in sports was "Qualifying for state, beating my hurdle record by one second and winning a city ring in only a few hours ... watches movies and sleeps in his spare time ... major is Pre-CTVA.