The standard has been set. Biola’s cross country team excelled last season on both the men’s and women’s sides, with the women winning the PacWest Conference title last year and the Biola’s men finishing second. The women’s team also finished 17th nationally and had one runner win All-American accolades. Jerry Baltazar won the PacWest individual men’s championship to add to the trophy haul. But that was the joy of last season. Coach Henning has his team’s sights even higher for this one.
SETTING THE BAR
One PacWest title for the Eagle’s women last year is a fantastic achievement, but the team has their eyes set higher in 2024, not just for the women to repeat as champions, but for the men to clinch the title as well. The coach also expressed his desire to see the team compete at a bigger level nationally.
“[Our] goals are to win two PacWest titles, compete to be at or near the top at NCAA [National Collegiate Athletics Association] West Regionals, and get to NCAA’s,” Henning said.
The team is still new to this level of competition, having only joined the NCAA three years ago. The fact that the bar is this high so soon is a testament to the exceptional group of coaches and athletes present at Biola University.
A BIGGER PURPOSE
However, the goal of this year’s teams are not merely focused on the course’s results. Henning emphasized the need for their primary focus to be on honoring the Lord through their running and competitiveness.
“Most importantly, we want to make sure we are honoring the Lord in the way in which we train and compete,” Henning said. “Winning without any connection to our Creator and what we are on earth to do is meaningless. Using high-level running as a platform to share the Gospel and give a great sacrifice to the Lord through our giftings is what we are striving to do.”
This is the perfect mentality to sum up Biola Athletics’ vision: seeking to excel in competition while keeping Christ at the forefront. The team seeks to reach a higher level to share the gospel and that truly is a beautiful picture of what this school and these athletes are all about. This is a team out to represent their school well, but most importantly, their Lord and Savior well.
THE STORY SO FAR
Cross Country Season comprises six invitationals, where all runners seek to get in their best shape, be the most prepared for the competition, and win PacWest Conference Championships. The team has one final invitational on Friday, Oct. 25, and the team is performing at its highest at the right time. In their last meet at Lewis Crossover in Romeoville, Illinois, the Men’s team finished fifth out of 36 teams, and the women’s team placed eighth, displaying their readiness to compete at the high level that will be demanded of them at the conference championships on Saturday, Oct. 26.
They’ve worked all year for this, from hot summer days to countless early mornings; this is what this team has been waiting for. Now, it’s time to make their work count. The young program is competing well beyond its years and its team is poised to take the next big step into elite-caliber competition.
