BREA, Calif. --- Biola Cross Country added some considerable depth to its 2017 men's lineup with the addition of Brea Olinda MVP Daniel Perez.
 
Perez won a league championship with a 3-mile time of 14:44 and was not only the 2017 team MVP but also the latest Crestview League MVP for cross country.
 
"Daniel already had a connection to Biola as he has been a part of Biola Youth for a while. He comes from a great family and his coaches have had nothing but great things to say about him," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "Daniel has "flown under the radar" so to speak in high school and will really break through in college. He has a lot of untapped potential and I'm excited to bring his leadership and athletic ability into our program."
 
The final year of Perez's high school career was also his most successful in track & field. He won another individual league title with a 9:33 in the 3,200m race and qualified for the CIF Finals in that event.
 
Perez is a strong leader, twice earning his team's "Most Inspirational" award in his time as a Wildcat. His leadership abilities made him an easy choice for team captain his final season, when he led Brea Olinda to its fourth league championship in his four years there. His cross country team also finished in the top two of the DIII CIF meet all four years and won state championships in 2014 and 2015. He helped the track team to a league championship his senior year.
 
His connection to Biola runs deep as he's been involved in Biola Youth Academics and the Torrey Academy throughout the past few years. His academic achievements in high school were noteworthy as he earned a Golden State Seal Diploma, was a scholar-athlete each year, made the principal's honor roll each year and earned consideration for the Torrey Academy Term Paper Award.
 
"I chose Biola as the best place to further my athletic, academic, and spiritual journey. I feel that the Biola community is a place where I can thrive and greatly increase my spiritual relationship with God, as well as my academic and athletic careers," said Perez. "It is also a place that I can best glorify God by being a part of the Christian community and serving my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as we spread the love of our Savior to the world."
 
Perez will begin classes and competition this fall. He plans to study business administration and will begin his cross country career at the Biola Invitational on September 9.