LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Whenever Azusa Pacific comes to Biola it is bound to be an epic battle, and Saturday's swimming and diving dual was no different. Both teams were neck and neck in the water and off the boards all day until APU took the meet in the final relay, winning 113-106.
 
"I thought the team looked really strong this week, especially considering that we came off a long travel weekend last week," said Head Coach Eddie Shepard. "We spent the week focusing on some specific things like breath control and underwaters, and the girls worked really had this week to improve those things, and I think it showed through their performances today."
 
Four different swimmers came out and put up national meet qualifying times, to pace the Eagles strong contingent of swims. Abby Blake qualified in the 500-freestyle, as she won that and the 1,000-freestyle earning 18 points for BU.
 
Kelly Arth placed second in the 200-freestyle to qualify for the end of the year meet with a 2:02.37. Megan Nerud had a huge day for the Eagles as she won the 400-individual medley and the 100-backstroke and qualified for nationals in the IM.
 
Christine Tixier was the final NAIA qualifier for BU, posting top swims in the 100-butterfly (:57.89) and 100-breaststroke (1:07.71).
 
"We started the day well with a win in the 200-medley relay and the 1,000-freestyle," said Shepard. "We swept the top three spots in the 100-backstroke and had a couple of other wins throughout the day, but they managed to put together a fast final performance to take the meet."
 
Despite being less formal than most of the Eagles' other meets, times came flying in on both sides at Lansing Pool today. Women swimmers posted scores lower than their season best in 11 different events, led by Haley Baker who dropped nearly seven seconds in her 500-freestyle (5:54.78).
 
Alyssa Roden got her first action of the season, diving from one meter and three meters and taking first in both events to win 18 points for the Eagles.
 
Biola will compete next at Redlands in the Bulldog pentathlon next Saturday morning.