LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University Cross Country continues to expand as head coach Jonathan Zimmerman announced the signing of seven more athletes to the women's squad this week. The new group of harriers includes seven incoming freshmen who join with already signed freshmen Katie Thede and Erika Perez to comprise a total of nine new additions to the women's team.
The seven newcomers are Connie Anderson (Loveland, CO/Loveland H.S.), Kim Arroues (South Lake Tahoe, CA/South Lake Tahoe H.S.), Sarah Brooks (Manchester, NH/Manchester H.S.), Danielle Calhoun (Murrieta Valley, CA/Murrieta H.S.), Kelsey Gasner (Camarillo, CA/Rio Mesa H.S.), Natasha Miller (Abbotsford, BC, Canada/MEI H.S.), and Diana Rubi (Mission Hills, CA/Discovery Prep).
"This group will really bolster our roster and place us as one of the larger squads in the GSAC," said Zimmerman.
Both Arroues and Calhoun were 2004 Nike Team National competitors for their respective teams and as a result are coming in with a wealth of racing and high profile team experience.
"They both have been through the rigors of a team championship season," said Zimmerman. "That know-how is certainly going to be valuable to us both this season and in the development of our program."
Brooks, from New Hampshire, along with Gasner and Rubi also bring strong resumes to Biola.
"I am very excited that we were able to land all three of these athletes and it is going to be exciting to watch them race in Biola jerseys," said Zimmerman. "Not only will they make a positive impact to the team, all three are top students and will certainly be adding much to the classroom."
Anderson and Miller should not only strength the Biola cross country team, but could make a strong impact on track and field teams as well. Anderson has had marked success in the hurdles during the spring seasons in high school. Miller competed for Valley Royals track club in Canada and in addition to running cross country and starting on the basketball team, was a top rated hurdler and triple jumper.
Biola finished fifth in the NAIA Region II meet this past fall and narrowly missed a trip to the National Championships. Among those returning for the Eagles are two-time track All-American Kristin Schmidt, three-time national meet qualifier Anna Thibodo and steeplechase national finalist Amanda Stephens.
