SANTA CLARITA, Calif. --- Bright and early this Saturday morning, the Biola Eagles traveled over to The Master's University Mustang Invitational in Santa Clarita. Both the men and women's teams we're making moves at this race, and both groups beat old conference foes, Golden State Athletic Conference teams. The men stretched their win streak to three meets and the women took a solid third-place finish.

The women's team has been developing their pack running strategy, which has increased personal growth and achievements for many of their student-athletes.

After Shannon Howell came in 46th place, with a 5K PR at, 19:10.2, she expressed her gratitude for the strategy, and her teammates, "racing was really hard at first, but it was awesome because I got to work with the pack of girls...The leader of the pack was Mandy Reyes, and she helped us get PR's today, honestly, she fought through the race, and we fought with her!"

Howell continues by giving glory to God, and is thankful for the encouragement her teammates gave her during the race, "they just help me pull along, and if one of us starts falling back, the other top group will hit their thigh to [signal to their teammate], "You can do it!" So then your mind gets back into the game!"

Mackenna Mason was the Eagles' top overall runner, finishing fourth with a new season-best time of 17:58.8. This marked her third-consecutive individual top-5 finish.

Biola's two fast freshmen once again lowered their personal records. Clara Haynes came in 19th place at 18:29.0 and Kenzie Elliott finished in 43rd place at 19:08.0. Kaitlyn Natividad has consistently stepped up the last couple of races and ran her top PR of the season, coming in 32nd place at 18:47.9. Finally, newcomer Micaela Pulliam, pulled a new PR as well finishing in 31st place with an 18:47.3.

The men have been fiercely fighting for first-place finishes as a team and they are creating a habit of it The highlight was Gabe Plendcio's individual first-place finish, with a new 8K PR at, 24:52.1. It was Plendcio's first event win since he won last season's NCCAA Championship with a 25:27.

Other standout performances and PRs were from the following: Angel Escobar - 14th place - 25:36.3; Gio Orellana - 15th place - 25:38.2; Ryan St. Pierre - 30th place - 26:00.4; Luke Sutherland - 78th Place - 27:21.0, Chris Campbell - 119th place - 28:41 and Omar Ledezma's 33:38.0.

Sandwiched between those performances were those of the Eagles' standout freshmen, Jared Donnel and Brady DeHaven. Donnel completed the course in 25:49 to place 23rd and DeHaven went 25:57 to place 28th.

"Brady and Jared showed tremendous toughness as freshmen, who were a bit tired mentally and physically," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "Christian Perez and Tanner Dutchover continue to work their way up to the top group which is great."

Perez placed 39th with a 26:15, while Dutchover finished 46th with a 26:26.

The Eagles have a couple of weeks off of heavy competition to get ready for their next race on Saturday, Oct. 13th at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale.