SAN DIEGO, Calif.---The Biola track and field teams finished up a successful day at the Ross & Sharon Irwin Invite hosted by Point Loma at the PLNU Track & Field. 

"Overall there were a lot of good things that happened today," stated head coach Sean Henning. "We still have some work to do, but I think the speed and power athletes in particular will see some big improvements as they start getting more race ready over the next couple of weeks."

Biola competed against a field of collegiate teams from Division I, II, III and NAIA universities and saw success in multiple events. 

BU had four Eagles receive podium finishes. Britta Holmberg crossed the line first in the 3000m steeplechase, recording a personal best. Holmberg recorded a speedy time of 11:12.29 and was followed by Grace Catena who placed second in the event with a time of 11:15.47. 

Biola's other first place finish was in the 5000m run by Bethany Mapes. Mapes was the first leg that crossed the finish line with a quick time of 17:54.67. Mapes was the only runner to finish under 18 minutes and beat the next best runner from Azusa Pacific by 12 seconds. Haleigh Guerrero achieved the third place finish in the 5000m run with a time of 18:13.19.

The Eagles had seven other top 10 performances. Karis Brown placed ninth of 49 runners in the 1,500m run with a time of 4:47.90. Rebeka Preston placed sixth in the 100m hurdles from a group of 34 athletes (14.68). Sophia Morris finished ninth in the 400m hurdles (1:05.41), Jada Pierce was seventh in the hammer throw (43.74m), A.J. Antonio was ninth in the high jump (1.86m), Hanna Bevan was fifth in the high jump (1.65m), and Katie Thompson was seventh in the triple jump (11.09m).

All Biola women's runners who competed in the 1500m run placed in the top 25. Brown led in ninth, Jordan Gossett was 14th (4:52), Lynette Ruiz was 19th (4:55.70) and Lolo Landrith wrapped up the group in 24th (5:00.04).

The distance runners had another good showing in the 5000m run. Mapes and Guerrero led the group with first and third place finishes and were followed by Lillianna Sosa in 14th (18:52.30), Emma Gutierrez in 23rd (19:12.18) and Keira Coye in 27th (19:19.45). Mapes, Guerrero and Sosa all made personal bests in the event.

The 200m run was another high-point for the Eagles. Audrey Mousa led BU with a 19th place finish which was a personal best. Mousa shaved 26 seconds off her previous personal best, recording a new time of 25.80 at the Ross & Sharon Irwin Invite. Preston was the next best for BU in that event with a 21st place finish that matched her personal best from 2021.

The Eagles race next on Friday, Mar. 24 at the Mangrum Invitational.

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