BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --- Hannah Champness is eager to reclaim her passion for running and benefit from a Christian community as she transfers to Biola. 

A graduate of Liberty High School who ran at the CIF State Cross Country Championships and earned All-Bakersfield Area second team honors as a senior, Champness initially set competitive running aside over her two years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. But she missed the experience of organized training and now has renewed motivation to build upon her previous success in cross country and distance track.

As a high school athlete, Champness earned her second team honors after placing in the top-five at three cross country meets and 12th at the CIF Central Section Finals. She's still listed in the top-10 for three distances at Liberty High, including the second-fastest time in the 4.5k run, and was named the Top Female Scholar Athlete of her graduating class. 

The Bakersfield-native also received a National Scholar-Athlete Award from the U.S. Army Reserve, an Outstanding Service and Leadership Award from Liberty and earned additional accomplishments in other sports. She was a starter on the varsity soccer team who earned a Patriot Award for embodying the values of the program. And she qualified for the CIF State Track & Field Championships in the 4x400m her sophomore year, running the relay with current Biola middle distance runner Shelby Rogers.

In addition to her connection to Head Coach Sean Henning's program through a former high school teammate, Champness will become the fourth member of her immediate family to study at Biola, following her father and two older siblings. She is hopeful her faith development at the university will show her how to use her passions to serve those in need:

"I chose Biola because I want to deepen my faith and meet other people who will challenge and encourage me to pursue Christ daily," said Champness. "I am excited to run as an Eagle and see how far I can push myself as a runner."

More information on the rest of the student-athletes that will join Hannah Champness at Biola in 2020-21 can be found on the Committed Athletes page.