SALEM, Ore. --- Biola Cross Country made the weekend trip to beautiful Salem, Oregon to compete in the 42^nd running of Willamette's Charles Bowles Invitational. Results were favorable on both sides as Head Coach Sean Henning's women's team placed second and men placed third.
 
This race was much anticipated, mostly for the fact that the Eagles had the chance to compete head-to-head with the No. 1 women's team in the country, Northwest Christian. Seeing as to how Biola is ranked number two and NWC was one of just two teams to finish ahead of the Eagles' women's contingent at nationals in 2015, this was a huge opportunity to scout the best competition out there.
 
"The women knew they had a very tough test ahead of them," said Henning. "The had to face the No. 1 team in the NAIA (NWC), and who I consider to be the third-best team in the country (British Columbia). We were able to beat British Columbia but came up just short of Northwest Christian."
 
Biola held its own as it finished just nine points the Beacon in the women's race in cold, rainy conditions. The course was fast though, and this group of runners managed to duplicate the best Biola team time ever at this invitational by having a top-5 combined time of 90 minutes and 10 seconds.
 
Lyndee Dawson, Emily Ransom and Hannah Hunsaker took up half of the top-6 positions in the field, and Biola Assistant Coach Kellian Hunt, running as an unattached runner, took up a fourth spot in the top six.
 
Dawson was the top finisher for BU as she completed the course in 17:39 and finished third overall. Ransom, who actually led the pack for part of the race, was just behind her at 17:40 (fourth place). Hunsaker was the fifth NAIA finisher and came in at sixth overall as she crossed the finish line under the pouring rain at 17:47.
 
The rest of Biola's top-7 was as follows: Stephanie Croy (25^th – 18:30), Alisa Murray (26^th – 17:31), Michelle Clark (29^th – 18:35) and freshman Mandy Reyes (18:48).
 
"Lyndee, Emily and Hannah did a great job competing up at the front of the race, and Stephanie and Alisa also stepped it up and did well for us," said Henning. "I think this race did a lot for us and will help immensely when we get to the end of the season."
 
On the guys side Miles Brubacher stole the show as the first-year Eagle managed a top-10 finish in a field of 21 teams. He completed the 8k in 24:52 and took ninth place. It is the fastest time any Biola runner has ever posted at the Charles Bowles Invitational.
 
Finishing just behind him with a performance that was just as special was freshman Gabe Plendcio. Plencio was 20^th overall, but he set the Biola freshman course record with a 25:16.
 
The performance of those two really helped spearhead a strong guy's finish as the Eagles placed third with 117 points. They finished just behind NAIA No. 1 British Columbia (39 points) and a Canada West team, the University of Victoria (76 points).
 
"I think the men's team did a really good job of stepping up to the competition and holding their own with some really good teams in the NAIA," said Henning. "We beat all of the teams in the field that came in ranked behind us, and we got to race against the No. 1 team, which helped our growth as a program."
 
Finishing after Plencio on the Biola totem pole was Ryan Thompson. The sophomore sensation placed 27^th overall and completed his run in 25:25. Timmy Wilson (50^th – 25:56) and Robbie Gleeson (62^nd – 26:04) completed the Eagles' top-10.
 
"Our 4-7 did a solid job of working together for most of the race," said Henning. "We need to keep working on pushing this group closer to our top-3, but overall it was a really good day for our guys."
 
Biola hopped on a plane back to LA later in the day and will have two weeks to rest, train and prepare for the Cougar Challenge (hosted by CSU San Marcos) on Oct. 15.