IRVINE, Calif. --- Biola opened the 2011 indoor season strong, recording six national qualifying times and 11 first or second place finishes at the Blutreich Indoor Qualifier hosted by Concordia University on Saturday.

The Eagles finally got  a chance to compete against outside competition, opening the season against five other GSAC squads.

Biola earned early-season qualifying times in six events led by the women's 4 x 800 and Distance Medley Relay teams, which both won their respective events earned berths for the third-consecutive season. The 4 x 800 squad of Brooke Forsi, Nychele Fischetti, Katie Thede and Kelsey Gasner crossed in a time of 9:18.42 while the DMR quartet of Kelsey Gasner, Ashley Bush, Forsi and Fischetti fininshed in 12:17.89.

Senior Sarah Brooks ran an indoor qualifying time in the 5,000, placing second overall in time of 18:09.59. 

Biola also had three qualifiers in the 3,000 led by Thede, who finished second in the event with a time of 10:18.63. She will be joined by fellow qualifiers Chelsea Janzen (10:19.23) and Carissa Bowman (10:19.47).

Other first-place finishers for the Eagles came from freshman Beatriz Delgadillo in the 400 (1:02.41) and Taylor McCahon in the Pole Vault (10' 6”). Teammates Alex Calkins and Tyler Nives both tied for first in the men's pole vault by clearing 12 feet.. 

Second place finishes went to Ashley Bush in the 60 dash (8.14), Clarissa Kenney in the 800 (2:27.22), Alexandra Zalesky in the pole vault with 9' 5.75”, Gabe Asechliman in the 600 with 1:22.36.

The full Biola track and field squads head to Santa Barbara next week for the Westmont College Season Opener meet. Field events begin at 10:00 a.m. with track events starting at Noon.