BELMONT, Calif. --- Biola Cross Country ran at its biggest meet of the season at the PacWest Championship Meet at Crystal Springs Cross Country Course. In doing so they became the first Biola program to compete at a PacWest Championship event.

It was a historic morning as both teams accomplished what they had set out to do, earning third-place finishes on both sides after incredible efforts.

The women's team opened the festivities with a third-place finish paced by team-leader Hannah Hunsaker. The Eagles had all five scorers place inside of the top-23 as the finished just a few points shy of second in placing behind California Baptist and Academy of Art.

Hunsaker had a phenomenal race, finishing just over one second back from finishing in the top-5 with her 6k time of 21:51. The race winner from team champion CBU crossed the line at 21:11. 

"I thought Hannah Hunsaker really asserted herself and fought valiantly," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "She had a heck of a race."

Mackenna Mason and Stephanie Croy attacked the pack together and finished 17th and 18th overall. Mason had her second-best 6k time of the season by crossing the line at 22:25. Croy was not much behind her as she crossed the finish just three seconds after for what was also her second-best 6k time.

Mandy Reyes was the runner of the race for the Eagles. She set a new season-best in the 6k with a 22:34 and was the fourth Eagle to cross the finish line. It was her best run of the year as she finished 22nd overall. Emily Ransom crossed the line as the team's fifth runner and was just four seconds behind Reyes.

"Mandy had a fantastic race and really moved up the last mile, and Emily worked really well with her for most of the race," said Henning. "Stephanie Chaires had a great last two miles, running really aggressively and moving up a lot."

Stephanie Chaires (23:16) and Jess Cody (23:41) ended the Eagles' contingent of runners as the sixth and seventh across the line.

"This was a great step in the right direction for this team and we will continue to trend up over the next few weeks leading up to NCCAA Nationals," said Henning.

The men were just as impressive as they cruised through the event with some excellent pack running. The first three Eagles to cross the line finished back-to-back-to-back in 13th, 14th and 15th to help Biola place on the podium and stamp its place in the PacWest.

"The guys did a great job today and executed very well," said Henning. "We were patient the first half of the race and really started moving the last half. We were in fifth at the halfway point and kept moving up to finish third convincingly."

Gio Orellana (25:56) led that pack, followed by Gabe Plendcio (26:01) and Ryan Thompson (26:04). This group made Biola one of only three teams to have a trio of runners place inside of the top-15.

"Considering all of the adversity this team has gone through over the past month, to finish third to two teams that are probably top-20 teams in the nation is great," said Henning. "Gio went out a bit too hard, but I was very proud of his ability to fight the last two miles and never give up."

Ryan St. Pierre (26:35) and Timmy Wilson (26:37) rounded out the team's counting runners and were crucial in allowing the Eagles to beat out Azusa Pacific by 21 points.

Freshman Tanner Dutchover (26:41) and sophomore Robbie Gleeson (26:48) rounded out the team's seven runners and played a critical role in forcing other teams into lower finishes.

"Timmy had a very strong finish and had quite possibly the best conference race of his career," said Henning. "The great thing about this group is that they embody a TEAM regardless of the outcome and are willing to be selfless in everything they do. We graduate one senior and will have everyone back, including three redshirts, so I'm excited for the future."

At the post-race awards ceremony six Eagles learned that they had the honor of earning the first-ever All-PacWest honors for the institution. Hannah Hunsaker earned All-PacWest first team honors by finishing seventh in the women's race. Croy and Mason each earned All-PacWest third team. On the men's side Orellana and Plendcio earned All-PacWest second team and Thompson became the first runner to snag a third team honor.

APU finished fourth on the men's side and sixth on the women's side. The two Biola victories earn 20 more Cornerstone Cup points for BU, helping it end the fall season with a 40-10 advantage. The first school to 70+ points guarantees a share of the cup.

Since both teams managed to finish inside of the top-5 at the PacWest Championship meet they earned the chance to compete for a national title at the NCCAA National Championships in Jackson, Mississippi. That meet will be the final race of the season and takes place on Nov. 11.