JACKSON, Miss. --- Biola Cross Country made history on a sunny Saturday morning in Mississippi as the men's team took first place in the 2017 National Christian College Athletic Association DI National Championship to earn Biola University's first team national championship since 1985.
"It was a great trip for us and we are so blessed that God was willing to bless us with the success we had today and throughout the season," said Head Coach
Sean Henning. "This program will continue to grow and become a great NCAA Division II team, and we will strive to give God all the glory in all of our efforts."
The women's team placed second to Cedarville University, finishing just 12 points behind the Yellow Jackets who were powered by the individual national champion.
"Cedarville is a really good Division II team who has had a lot of success in the past. We knew they would be tough competitors," said Henning.
That meant there was a theme on Saturday morning, both championship winning teams also sported the individual national champion as Gabe Plendcio claimed the top honors in the men's race.
"Gabe ran very instinctively and made a bold move at the perfect time. I knew he had a great chance of winning and couldn't have been prouder of him," said Henning.
That means twice in the last three cross country seasons Biola Cross Country has sported an individual national champion on its roster. Kellian Hunt won the NAIA Women's Cross Country title in the 2015 season. Plendcio's winning time was 25:27, a whole 10 seconds faster than the number two runner, who happened to be from Cedarville.
"The men's team did an excellent job of preparing themselves for this day," said Henning. "Today truly was the culmination of a lot of hard work over many months and marks a significant change in the culture of this team. The guys have made significant progress in the way they carry themselves throughout the season and how they compete at a national championship. We have had great leadership within the team that has helped carry us through some adversity throughout the season."
Biola had five men finish with NCCAA All-American honors and three women. Hannah Hunsaker was the ladies' top finisher. She was eighth overall with a 5k time of 18:19. Stephanie Croy (10th - 18:25) and Mackenna Mason (14th - 18:29) also earned All-American honors for the women.
The men's team earned its team victory thanks to the strength of having three runners in the top-5 and four in the top-10. Gio Orellana finished fourth with a 25:44.05 and Ryan Thompson finished fifth with a 25:44.15.
Also earning All-American nods for the men were two gentlemen at the opposite ends of their collegiate athletic spectrum. Ryan St. Pierre, a freshman, crossed the line in 26:12 to finish ninth, while Timmy Wilson, a senior, placed 12th with a 26:31 to earn his first-ever All-American honors in the last race of his career.
It was an especially exciting moment to see Wilson, and his fantastic mustache, earn the top honor in the NCCAA after all he's poured into this team over the past few seasons.
Rounding out the women's counting five were Emily Ransom (16th - 18:46) and Jessica Cody (19th - 18:57).
"I was proud of the girls for getting second and fighting the whole race," said Henning. "I would say the highlights of the day for the ladies were Emily Ransom battling most of the race by herself because one of her teammates had a tough day physically and Jessica Cody stepping up and helping the team out when we need her to score."
Biola has now sent three teams to NCCAA National Championship events this fall and has one first-place finish and two national runner-up placements. Not too bad. The Eagles have two more teams going in late-November and early-December as women's soccer and volleyball will have a chance to win a title.
In addition to the honors on the course, Biola Cross Country had six student-athletes earn NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors: Jessica Cody, Stephanie Croy, Elizabeth Pintarich, Kaili Waller and Timmy Wilson.
For more information on the NCCAA, please visit http://www.thenccaa.org/.
