Men's Results - Individual | Team
Women Results - Individual | Team

FRESNO, Calif. --- The Biola women's team ran an impressive race at the 2009 Golden State Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday, placing second overall, just a few points out of first place at Woodward Park in Fresno..

The Eagles, who were ranked No. 4 in the latest NAIA National Poll,  finished with 48 points and likely secured a trip to the NAIA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Fort Vancouver Park in Vancouver, Washington. Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, finished first overall in the women's race with 32 points.

Sophomore Nychele Fischetti, along with juniors Sarah Brooks, Katie Thede raced to fifth, sixth, and seventh place finishes, respectively, on the 5k course. All three logged PR times of 18:01, 18:08, and 18:10 to lead the rush to the finish line for the Eagles.

Juniors Kelsey Gasner and Danielle Calhoun also notched course PR times and quickly closed the scoring door for Biola as they finished in 12th and 18th place with times of 18:21 and 18:48, respectively.

Sophomore Carissa Bowman finished in 19th place (18:49) and was the sixth BU athlete to cross the finish line in the top twenty. Junior Erika Perez tied her course PR with her 19:06 good for 26th place and was the top No. 7 finisher in the race.

Fischetti, Brooks, Thede and Gasner also were named to the All-GSAC team by finishing in the top 14. It was the third-consectuive year Thede earned the honor while Fischetti placed on the team for the second-straight year.

“The GSAC Championships certainly brings out the best in us and the other conference programs," said Head Coach Jonathan Zimmerman. “For the women to have six of our top seven women all set course PR's today was very rewarding for time and energy invested. This is tremendously motivational for the squad as they prepare for the NAIA Nationals coming up on November 21st. We will continue to dream big and to race with passion.”

Also competing for the Eagles were freshmen Holly Kopp (43rd - 20:11) and Rachel Stump (48th - 20:30). Sophomore Clarissa Kenney notched a course PR with her 20:41 good for 54th place and Katherine Sikkelee finished in 59th with a 21:02. Freshmen Brooke Brumund (61st  - 21:04) and Kelsi Boucher (72nd - 21:37) rounding out the Eagle squad.

The Biola men were led by junior Carter Williams, who ran a course PR of 27:04 for a 31st place finished. The Eagles really packed well behind Williams. Senior Kyle McNulty was just five spots back in 36th place (27:19), followed closely by freshman Spencer Lyle, who crossed in 37th place in 27:22, and junior Evan Thibodeau at 40th in a PR time of 27:33. Senior Mike Morin rounded out the scoring five with his 29:05 good for 63rd place.

Also competing for the Eagles were freshmen Billy Vetter (30:28) and Matthew Arroues (31:07).

Junior Ryan Richert, who was Biola's top performer throughout the season, was racing in the top five when he stumbled and fell in the last 400 meters and was unable to finish the race.

“The men have showed great leadership and courage this season as they've really done a tremendous job of solidifying our distance program here at Biola,“ said Zimmerman. “My hat is off to them, especially seniors Kyle McNulty and Mike Morin as they truly been a blessing to the men and women's team and to me they are truly godly men of tremendous character and integrity.”

Biola will wait for the official word from the NAIA regarding an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championships. The final selections will be announced on Monday, Nov. 9.