LA MIRADA --- Biola's long distance runners have brought multiple conference titles home in recent years and are not ready to slow down. The men's and women's squads were picked to finish in the top-two for the PacWest and already rank in the top five for the region in the preseason rankings.

Head Coach Sean Henning is heading into his 10th year at the helm of Biola Cross Country. The men's and women's squads have storied success behind the leadership of Henning, including a combined five conference championships since joining the PacWest.

Entering 2024, the women's team was selected as the conference favorite in the PacWest Preseason Poll. BU was voted No. 1 unanimously in the PacWest, and has recently been ranked No. 3 in the region and No. 15 in the nation ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Coach Henning is excited for what the women's squad can do this year, "We have a strong group this year and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish as a unit. We would like to defend our conference title and improve on our regional and national finish from last year. We are working hard to shore up the depth as it will be crucial later in the year, and continuing to push our top girls to be really good for us at those big meets. We will be training through the first two meets and will officially open up and really race on September 21 at UC Riverside."

The BU women welcome three newcomers for 2024, including two freshmen and a sophomore transfer. The team is chalk-full of veterans with two seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores, and two freshmen.

The men's squad was picked to finish second in the PacWest, which reflects their finish from last year's conference championships. In the west region, the men rank fifth and are receiving votes in the preseason national poll.

"The guys have looked really fit so far this fall," said Henning. "We have some great depth and the team has made a full commitment to being excellent in everything they are pursuing. Racing, practicing, stretching, study habits, daily time with the Lord, etc. They are united with this theme in mind and have some big goals for the year. They would love to compete for a conference title and make a big push toward nationals at the regional meet. Without a doubt, they are capable of it. They too will be training through the first couple of meets in preparation for a big race at UC Riverside on September 21."

Eight new faces grace the BU men's cross country roster, including five freshmen, one senior transfer, and two runners who joined Biola in the spring of 2023. The incoming crew joins the ranks of 14 returners for the Eagles.

The 2024 season for the Eagles will open up on Friday with the Irvine Invitational, giving the teams a look at the 2024 PacWest Conference Championships course.