The San Diego State Cross Country Invitational on Sept. 19 proved to be a success for the Biola cross country teams. Senior Kevin Horchler finished first individually for the men, but the team did not have enough participants to receive a team score. The women’s team placed first among eight teams. They have won both of their first two meets.

Three runners participated in the men’s 8k race, all three placing in the top ten of 28 runners. Horchler finished first, running 0.4 seconds faster than his third place finish last year. Following Horchler was freshman Wes Noyes who placed eighth and junior Hunter Johnson in ninth.

The Eagles focus on getting everyone healthy and prepared for conference tournaments.

“A lot of the guys are coming back, and just trying to stay motivated and know that a lot other teams in conference are strong and we need to be playing our best,” Horchler said. “We need to be resting hard and working hard.”

WOMEN NAB SECOND OVERALL WIN

The women finished first in the Invitational, led by junior Anika Gasner who finished second, senior Carrie Soholt came in fourth and sophomore Lyndee Dawson came in with the fifth place finish. The Eagles also received a push by junior Kellian Hunt who was the fourth runner to finish for the Eagles. In the previous meet, Hunt finished tenth on her team.  

“We were mostly just trying to go out there and keep the same rhythm that we’ve had going through practices and the first meet,” said Soholt. “We just wanted to keep what we have going, going, and just kind of build momentum for the upcoming races that are bigger.”

The Eagles have taken first in both of the meets participated in this year and look to keep their streak going at the Vanguard Invitational that both the men and women will compete in on Oct. 11. The team is focusing on staying healthy and continuing their momentum into the GSAC championship for the upcoming meet.

“We have what I would call a big target on our backs,” Soholt said. “We are doing well and so everyone is shooting at our backs, so [it’s a] ‘team to beat’ kind of thing. I think just not being afraid of that and embracing the opportunity.”