PORTSMOUTH, Va. --- As he evaluated colleges, it was crystal clear to Christian Lukens that he wanted to attend a school that could support his aspirations for his faith and track career. 

It turned out that he didn't need to look far to find that college. After graduating from Brea Olinda High School, Lukens discovered that Biola University was capable of helping him develop a Christian worldview while offering a track program that was committed to making him the best hurdler he could become. So he'll be jumping two towns over to start school this fall and will begin pursuing a history degree at Biola. 

"I chose Biola because my faith is very important to me and so is track," said Lukens. "I'm thrilled that Biola will help me develop in both areas and I also enjoyed getting to know the sprint coach. He has an awesome vibe."

Lukens will join Coach Mickey Miela's growing hurdles group after contributing to a successful track program at Brea Olinda over the past few years. He transitioned from baseball to track as a freshman and was immediately part of a Wildcats boys varsity team that won the Crestview League Outdoor Track Championship his sophomore year. 

Then the hurdler built on that experience as a junior and competed in the finals of the 2019 Crestview League Finals in both the 110m and 300m hurdles. Lukens helped Brea Olinda sweep the podium in the 300m hurdles at the league finals with his second-place finish and became one of just two Wildcats to compete in that event at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Championships. 

And even though COVID-19 cancellations limited him to two meets, Lukens also showed that he was on the verge of some big improvements as a senior. He came within 34-hundredths of a second of his PR in the 300m hurdles in his very first meet in 2020 and also set a new best in the 400m dash. 

Christian Lukens will join teammates this coming fall as the Eagles prepare for the 2021 outdoor track season. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join him at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.