LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Sophomore Christine Tixier was named the NAIA Women's Swimmer of the Meet after securing Biola's first-ever top three finish as the Eagles competed with some of the West Coast's top swim programs at the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championships this week at Splash Aquatics Center in La Mirada.

Biola had a solid showing despite beginning to rest some of its top swimmers for the NAIA National Championship meet in two weeks. The Eagles were among great competition as top teams from the NCAA Division II and III ranks along with top programs from the NAIA participated in the competition.

"It is always an interesting meet for us because there are a lot of fast teams that are rested for the meet, but our top swimmers are just beginning to rest for our national meet in two weeks," said Biola Head Coach Eddie Shepard. "Despite the fact that they were just beginning their rest, they swam exceptionally well. In fact, many of them swam season best times. Our swimmers who were rested for the meet had amazing performances. Most of them were swimming lifetime best times."

Tixier shined at the meet, recording three top 12 finishes including Biola's first-ever top three conference finish. Tixier took home third in the 100 fly with a time of 56.02 to earn the honor. She also placed fourth in the 200 fly in 2:04.62, breaking her own school record. She wrapped things up with a 12th-place finish in the 200 IM in 2L09.08.

For her efforts, Tixier was named the NAIA Women's Swimmer of the Meet, also a first in program history.

"It was especially exciting to have our first ever top-three finisher at our conference meet," said Shepard. "The competition in our conference is always extremely fierce and it was really exciting to see Christine compete at that level with some of the top NCAA swimmers in the nation."

Freshman Abby Blake also had a solid competition, placing eighth in the 1650 free in 17:53.91, breaking her own school record time. Blake also placed 20th in the 500 free in 5:15.84.

On the men's side, Eric Sirjord and Chris Stutzman had very successful meets, each finishing in the top 18 in three events.

Sirjord placed 11th in the 1650 in 16:26.35, 12th in the 500 free in 4:43.96 and 17th in the 400 I'm in 4:14.40. He also same a time trial in the 200 fly and broke his own school record with a time of 1:58.00.

Stutzman took home a ninth-place finish in the 100 free in 46.84, placed 12th in the 50 free in 21.44 and 13th in the 200 free in 1:45.60.

Biola added one new nationals qualifier as well as Daniel Mendoza earned a cut in the 1650. Megan Bradenbert (100 free), Megan Nerud (100 back) and Austin Sarna (100 breast, 200 breast) each qualified for additional events at nationals.

"Overall, I think that it was a great finish for those swimmers who are not going to nationals and a great confidence builder for our national qualifiers," said Shepard.

Biola now preps for the NAIA National Championships February 28 - March 2 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.