LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Picking up right where he left off in 2018, Gabe Plendcio picks up the first PacWest Conference Runner of the Week award in the 2019 season.

The senior led the pack at the Biola Invitational, winning the event for the first time with a time of 25:16.02. He led Biola to a second-place team finish in a massive field of 18 teams across all divisions of college cross country.

"Gabe had a great race on Saturday and it's great to see him recognized by the conference for his performance," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "I'm excited to see what God has in store for him and the team this season."

This is Plendcio's sixth PacWest Runner of the Week award in the last three seasons.

He and the team have the weekend off before competing at next weekend's Sundowner Invitational, hosted by Western Oregon. The Sundowner meet is a preview of the course used for this year's NCAA West Regional Championship.