LA MIRADA, Calif. --- For the second season in a row both Biola Cross Country programs were selected to finish first in the PacWest Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The men are looking to repeat after a championship in 2018. The women look to move up after placing third last year.

"It is humbling to know that the conference thinks so well of us. I'm happy to know that our teams get recognition for the hard work they put in year in and year out," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "Most importantly, both teams have a goal of being the best teams they can possibly be with the talents God has given us. That will really be our standard for how we've done this season."

The men were selected first and garnered nine of the 10 possible first-place votes. Academy of Art was the only team other than BU to receive a first-place vote. The Urban Knights were third in the poll with 82 total points. Notre Dame de Namur was second with 86 and Biola ran away with the top spot with 99 total points.

The Eagles won the title by a wide margin at the PacWest Championship in 2018 and return nearly their full lineup, and also have the addition of senior Ryan Thompson who sat out last cross country season and should consistently be a top-3 runner for Biola this year. Gabe Plendcio figures to be the top runner for the Eagles' again, looking to repeat as PacWest Conference individual champion and take his shot at a West Region individual championship as well.

Biola's men's team was ranked no. 6 in the preseason NCAA Division II West Region poll. They were the only PacWest team ranked in the region.

The women's squad also returns a large number of its top runners from one year ago. The only missing piece from its top-5 is the departure of graduating senior Emily Ransom. Mackenna Mason and last year's super freshman Clara Haynes will lead the way. The Eagles will also look to a good crop of freshmen to bolster the effort in 2019.

The poll numbers for the women's side were a bit closer, with 12 teams in the mix. The Eagles used seven first-place votes to earn the top spot though, garnering 138 total points. Next up was Point Loma, which won last season's title after a tie with Azusa Pacific fell in their favor. PLNU had three first-place votes and 126 total points. 

The Urban Knights of Academy of Art were next with two first-place votes and 122 points. APU is also in the mix for the class of the conference, coming in fourth with 116 points before a steep drop-off to the other schools.

Both teams begin their first season as full NCAA Division II members with this weekend's Biola Invitational at Ted Craig Regional Park in Fullerton. It's a massive field this year with over 20 teams running both races.

The Eagles' season is all about preparing for it's first NCAA postseason with preview races at the PacWest Championship course (Biola Invitational), the west region championship course (Sundowner Invitational) and the NCAA Division II national championship course (Capital Cross Country Challenge).

All results will be posted to athletics.biola.edu immediately following the conclusion of competition Saturday.