ROCKLIN, Calif. --- Biola Track & Field grows a bit more in its men's middle distance program with the addition of Brendan Dowling. Dowling will join the team as a freshman out of Rocklin High School in Northern California.

At Rocklin HS, Dowling had career-best times of 1:56 in the 800m, 4:27 in the 1,600m and 9:41 in the 3,200m. He won two all-league first team honors and one all-section first-team recognition. He led the Thunder to a pair of league titles and one section championship.

Dowling also ran cross country at Rocklin and was a three-time state finalist.

"I feel like Biola will be a great place to not only improve myself athletically and academically but also to strengthen my faith as I will be able to fellowship with other Christians," said Dowling. "I look forward to being able to compete in a competitive collegiate atmosphere, and I am excited to do my part to contribute to the team."

He joins a Biola Cross Country team that's coming off its first PacWest Conference Championship and has its sights on going back-to-back. The track team also just cleaned up at the National Christian College Athletic Association Championships and should have the chance to compete at NCAA Division II championships for the first time in 2020.

Throughout his high school career Dowling proved to be an excellent student. He has a 4.46 cumulative GOA and is an eight-time scholar-athlete award recipient. He's made honor roll all four years and had off-the-charts test scores.

It's not just running that Dowling excels at. He actually holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest 5k - skipping without a rope. In July of 2015 he skipped 5,000m in just 26 minutes and 21 seconds to set the new world record.

He was a USA Track & Field Junior Olympian in 2012 and also loves ping pong and other sports.