LA MIRADA --- The 2021-22 year was jam-packed with action from Biola's 18 programs who overcame obstacles which led to successes, thrilling moments, and memories that will last forever. As the 2022-23 year approaches, we would like to look back and highlight some special moments from the past year for our fall, winter and spring sports. Each team will be recognized in a three part series categorized by their respective season.

The women's cross country team showed out with a 2021 season to remember. They put in the work and were rewarded with two record-breaking performances. 

The Eagles first set a program best with a second-place finish at the PacWest Conference Championships and continued to set another program best on a regional scale. Biola took home a fifth place NCAA West Regional finish, which was a nine-spot improvement from their previous season. Freshman Lynette Ruiz led the effort with Biola's highest finish of 21st place at 22:06.0 in the 6K run.

The men's cross country team also executed a successful 2021 season, starting when they opened with an exciting home victory. The Eagles took first place at their annual Biola Invitational that had the most participants in the meet's history. Biola was represented with two top 10 finishes by juniors Brady DeHaven and Jared Donnel who came in fifth and eighth, respectively. 

The men's cross country team also made their second consecutive NCAA West Regional appearance where they placed seventh in the 21-team field. Ronald Kigen was Biola's first leg across, holding down the 10-spot with a speedy time of 31:10.1.

Meanwhile, the men's soccer team paved the way for future generations with a historic 2021 season. The Eagles began their historic run with a third place PacWest Conference finish, which was their highest conference placement since 2015. The men's soccer squad continued to set program bests when they advanced to the NCAA West Regional for the first time in program history.

The Eagles were showered with well-deserved honors for their incredible season. Biola had three PacWest individual award-winners and eight all-conference selections. Izaac Zausch received the one of the most prestigious PacWest honors as Defender of the Year and was joined by Theo Le Calve as the Newcomer of the Year and Adam Jones finished the trio as Freshman of the Year. 

Biola then collected regional recognition from two publications. The D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches Association named Zausch First Team All-Region and Scholar All-American and Le Calv and Lawrence Kwazema Second Team All-Region.

Biola women's soccer got an early season jolt from Anna Boyer in 2021. The sophomore took care of the net, recording four shutouts in the first month of the season, picking up two PacWest Defender of the Week awards along the way. The Eagles also had an immediate impact from freshman forward Jazmin Montalvo. The rookie led the way for the BU offense, logging six goals in 2021 and two scores in a win over Fresno Pacific on October 9.

The BU squad ended the 2021 season with a strong pace, going 2-0-1 in the final stretch. During the span, Biola shocked Dominican with a game-winner in the opening minute of extra time with a header from Jess Hase. At the conclusion of the season, the team corralled four All-PacWest selections and a CoSIDA Academic All-District award.

BU volleyball saw success in an eventful 2021 season that included a 10-match winning streak. Biola logged a season sweep of the eventual PacWest Conference Champions Chaminade, including a five-set thriller on the road. 

The Eagles finished the 2021 campaign in second place amongst the PacWest with a 20-8 overall record and a 16-4 mark in conference play. Three All-PacWest selections highlighted the postseason awards coming in for Madison Beebe, Vanessa Garcia, and Sami Hover.

The men's water polo team finished their inaugural season with a strong finish at the Western Water Polo Association Men's Championship. The Eagles were the ninth seed entering the WWPA Men's Championships and finished strong with an eighth-place tournament finish. Kenny Wulf and Mitchell Carpenter were integral in their team's success leading the squad in scoring and saves. 

Wulf and Carpenter proceeded to earn national recognition for their strong performances. Wulf was one of eight men named to the NCAA Division II All-American First Team and Carpenter received an honorable mention nod as the second-best goalkeeper in all of NCAA Division II.

Biola had itself a fantastic all-around fall season and was followed up by a wonderful winter season. Come back for the winter recap on Wednesday.