In preparation for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships, senior distance runner Kellian Hunt led the way for a solid day at the Occidental College Invitational by smashing a 24-year-old record time in the 5000m event.

On April 25, 1992 Elizabeth Onyambu set a Biola 5000m record by clocking in at 17:04. Twenty-four years later on May 7, 2016, Hunt not only broke the long-standing mark, but shattered it by nearly 13 seconds.

The record time placed Hunt 15th place overall in a competitive field of 70 others.

In the same event, recent Biola Athlete of the Week and senior Anika Gasner earned one of the automatic qualifiers. Gasner finished in 27th place with an impressive 17:11 mark. Sophomore Lyndee Dawson earned another “A” qualifier by finishing only two seconds behind Gasner. Sophomore Stephanie Croy rounded out the Eagle quartet of “A” qualifiers with a 17:33 time. Senior Michelle Clark still managed a “B” provisional time of 17:47.

Overall, the 5000m proved the Eagles’ strength on the day, especially for the women.

Senior pole vaulter Nicole Falkenstein, a constant threat to breaking school records, had a strong showing and produced a 3.7m vault.

The men’s 800m prevailed as a strong point for the Biola. Sophomore Wes Noyes achieved a provisional standard time of 1:53 and 39th overall in a thick 83-man field. Teammate and outstanding senior Andrew Daedler finished just behind Noyes in 44th place. Freshman Aditya Lal also competed in the 800m, clocking in at 1:56 and in 61st place.

Before they can compete at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships beginning on May 26, the team has one more chance to perfect their craft at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. on Sunday, May 15.