LA MIRADA, Calif,--- For the first time in program history, Biola Golf is not only nationally ranked but comfortably sits in the top-25 of the latest Women's Golf Coaches Association coaches poll (Mar. 12, 2021). 

In the second Division II WGCA coaches poll the Eagles come in at No. 23. If being ranked in the top-25 is not enough, the Eagles are the only PacWest school to receive any votes in the latest WGCA coaches poll. 

Head Coach Jane Carr is thrilled that her program and her golfers are being noticed by other NCAA Division II coaches. "When the previous poll was released it was great to see that Biola was getting votes, but to see us jump into the top-25 this week was quite an honor," said Coach Carr.

Biola has had three second-place finishes in just as many tournaments this season. "Even though we haven't won a tournament yet this spring we have been knocking on the door with solid 2nd place finishes," said Coach Carr. 

Although they are still in search of their first team victory, the Eagles have had great results with multiple top-finishers in each of their three tournaments. Biola opened the season strong with a first place individual finish from freshman Brady Turnquist at the Eagle Invitational. Joining Turnquist in the top-three was Sophia Karnazes (3). 

In the second tournament of the season, the Eagles headed to the Bay Area Invitational where they placed four in the top-10. Sami Penor (4), Mary Grace Davidson (T5), Brady Turnquist (T5) and Sophia Karnazes (T7) all represented Biola well in yet another second-place team finish. 

In their most recent contest, Biola returned to the Bay Area and saw a third-place finish from Penor who continues to be a solid performer for BU. With a fourth place finish, Rachel Reynolds followed Penor giving BU two top-five finishers in the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout. 

"Each tournament we are getting 1-2 of our players in Top 5 finishes. I couldn't be prouder of where we are at this spring given all of the challenges we have faced with Covid, including securing adequate practice facilities," said Carr. 

Junior Sami Penor and her team are hungry and working very hard to get BU its first tournament win. "We all have the same goal, to win and we share that competitiveness with each other which is really awesome," said Penor. 

For BU Golf, it's not enough to just finish atop the leaderboards as Coach Carr and her staff are dedicated to developing their team on the course and off. "Making our way up the rankings is ultimately about attracting more collegiate golfers to attend Biola University where their faith and Christian character can be shaped."

Carr's team shares the same goal, to grow as Christian student-athletes. "This program has helped me to grow my game as well as my faith," said Penor. "We are all pushing each other to become better by encouraging and motivating each other to accomplish our goals." 

Biola Golf returns to action on Monday, March 15 as they head to Moorpark for the CLU Regals Invitational. For live updates check athletics.biola.edu.