WHITTIER, Calif. --- Even before committing to joining the Biola cross country and track & field squads, Jerry Baltzer's Biola ties ran deep. The La Serna High School standout spent the past few years running under the tutelage of Lancers coach Joe Orr, a Biola Track & Field alumni. Baltzer also attends Whittier Area Community Church, which counts many Biolans among its congregation.

Now, Baltzer has officially decided to stay close to home and run for Head Coach Sean Henning in both the fall and spring. He joins an Eagles men's cross country team coming off back-to-back PacWest conference titles and back-to-back PacWest runner of the year awards for graduating senior Gabe Plendcio.

On the track side, Baltzer joins Biola's largest program and plans to compete in the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

After learning about the program from Orr, Baltzer was sold on what he saw at Biola away from athletics as well.

"I chose Biola based on its prestigious academics and spiritual expansion," he said. "I really feel like I can grow in my faith here, and be the best version of myself."

Baltzer has become a decorated athlete during his time with the Lancers, as he was named Most Valuable Runner on the track team in both his sophomore and junior years. He also helped power La Serna to CIF contention in his junior season.

He excels away from the track as well. He made the principal's list and was named a scholar-athlete in his junior year, and also has a passion for raising money for treatment for kids with cancer.

He intends to major in kinesiology at Biola with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.

While Baltzer will have to wait until the Fall 2020 cross country season to make his Biola debut, you can catch the Eagles' track team this weekend as they begin their season at Westmont College and Pomona-Pitzer.