AZUSA, Calif. --- Biola Track & Field began its merry-go-round weekend at the Bryan Clay Invite and Mt. San Antonio College Relays on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles eased into a busy weekend, only competing in two different events.
 
Lyndee Dawson and Stephanie Croy went to the Mt. SAC Relays and dealt with tough conditions to put up strong performances in the 3,000m steeplechase. It was really windy throughout the run, but both young women were able to set new personal-bests in the event.
 
Dawson finished eighth overall with a 10:29.72. She was the only non-NCAA Division I student-athlete to finish inside of the top-12.
 
Croy's new personal-best is now set at 10:56.81. She finished 31^st of 45 runners in a field that was comprised of about 90 percent D1 runners.
 
Over at Azusa Pacific it was much of the same for Biola. The Eagles' men and women competed in the 5,000m and the 3,000m steeplechase.
 
The men's efforts stood out at the massive Bryan Clay Invitational. All three men that ran finished inside of the top-15 of their heat, including a second-place heat finish for Brandon Berz. He finished his steeplechase in 9:29.77 to finish just three-tenths of a second off the pace. His time was good enough to earn him a NAIA qualifying standard.
 
"This was really big for him as the last two years have been tough for him running wise," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "This was definitely a great thing for him and I think he can do even better."
 
Gabe Plendcio was the other standout on the guy's side. He completed his first collegiate 5,000m race in 15:37.74 to finish 13^th in his heat.
 
"He ran very consistently throughout the race and moved up well," said Henning.
 
On Friday the Eagles are set to return to the Bryan Clay Invite and also compete at the Beach Invitational hosted by Long Beach State.