MARION, Ind. --- Senior Sarah Brooks recorded a personal best and earned a big point for Biola with an eighth-place finish in the 10,000m to highlight the first day of action at the 2011 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Brooks dropped 16 seconds off her previous best in the 10,000m run, finishing in eighth place with a time of 36:58. Her eighth-place finish netted the first point for the Eagles in the overall standings. 

Senior Kelsey Gasner qualified for the finals of the 3,000m steeplechase with the third-fastest time in the qualifying round. The two faster times came in her qualifying heat as she crossed the line in 11:00.79. 

Fellow senior Natasha Miller got off to a quick start in her defense of the NAIA heptathlon title. Miller opened by winning the first two events, taking top honors in the 100m hurdles in a time of 14.20, then winning the high jump by clearing 1.80m (5 feet - 10.75 inches). She recorded 1,927 points after the first two events, leading by over 300 points. 

After an eighth-place finish in the shotput and a second-place finish in the 200m, Miller had 3,301 points at the end of the first day and held a 308 point lead with three events to go. 

In her spare time, Miller also found time to qualify for the semifinals in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.48.

Freshman Taylor McCahon rounded out the competitors on day one, clearing 3.55 meters in the pole vault, barely missing on her attempt at 3.7 meters.