LA MIRADA, Calif. --- For the first time in its three years as conference members, Biola University sits alone atop the PacWest Conference Commissioners' Cup standings. The Eagles' fall teams averaged between a second- and third-place finishes this season to have Biola just ahead of Point Loma in the race for the cup.

The Eagles' five fall teams combined for 57.5 total points (11.5 avg) based on their finishes withing the PacWest Conference standings. Point Loma had four fall teams combine for 44.5 points (11.125 avg) and Concordia Irvine had five teams average 11 points each as the Southern California pod proved its dominance in the conference yet again.

"We are excited to be leading the PacWest Commissioners' Cup during our first year officially in NCAA Division II membership," said Dr. Bethany Miller, senior director of athletics. "Our fall programs were incredible to watch this year, with the culmination of their success being our men's cross country team making history through our first participation in a NCAA National Championship." 

Biola was third in the conference standings at the end of last fall and second at the end of fall in 2017, but this is the first time its teams took the top spot. It also happens to be the first year Biola's been postseason eligible in the NCAA and the first time it's sent a team to nationals (Men's Cross Country).

A Southern California school has won the Commissioners' Cup each of the last six seasons. Grand Canyon (now NCAA Division I) was the last non-Southern California school to win (2012-13). Hawaii Pacific was the last school still in the conference and from outside of the SoCal pod to win the award (2010-11).

Biola finished eighth in the final standings in 2017-18 and fourth in the final standings last season, with rivals Azusa Pacific taking the top spot. APU, despite winning both volleyball and men's soccer conference titles, sits fourth in the standings at the end of this fall.

Cross Country was the biggest differentiator between Biola and the other top teams in the Commissioners' Cup race after the fall. The Eagles won on the men's side and tied for second on the women's side, equating to 27.5 total points between just those two programs. That's an average of 13.75. None of the other top-4 schools (all SoCal) had a cross country average of higher than 11 (Concordia Irvine). In fact, both APU and PLNU had just seven points on average come from XC.

Point Loma won the women's soccer title, finished top three in men's soccer and top-5 in volleyball to sit a strong second place. The Sea Lions also have the benefit of sponsoring fewer sports than any of the other SoCal schools. With the final standings based on average finish, having fewer programs to have to build and support is a major advantage.

All of Biola's fall programs finished in the top half of the conference standings, with women's soccer placing third and men's soccer and volleyball both finishing sixth. 
"We are seeing our student-athletes reach new heights this year, and are grateful for the way they lead both through sport and on our campus."

The standings of the all-sports award are announced twice more throughout the year. Once following winter season (basketball) and again after everything finishes up in the spring.