REDLANDS, Calif. --- Biola's cross country teams laces up their running shoes for the first time this season on Saturday morning, competing in the Redlands Invitational for the fifth consecutive years.
 
"It was a very exciting opening day here at Redlands," said Head Coach Jonathan Zimmerman. "Everyone did a super job of competing well and getting the rust off."
 
The No. 1 women's squad trampled the rest of the competition cruising to a season-opening first-place finish. Carrie Soholt began her season on the right track, winning the individual title in the 4,500m with a time of 17:02.50. She bested the second-place runner by just about two full seconds, but that did not matter much as Biola runners claimed seven of the first eight counting positions in a dominant performance.
 
The men's team had a bit of a rougher go as they were getting their feet back under them, finishing third of four teams. Kevin Horchler posted the best time for the Eagles, finishing third overall with a 19:17.92 in the men's 6,000m. He placed behind a runner from Redlands and another from La Verne.  La Verne took the men's race, with the host school finishing four points behind them.
 
Timmy Wilson put in a solid first effort for the Eagles, finishing in seventh place and completing the course in 19:52.70.
 
"There were a few hiccups today," said Zimmerman. "However, all-in-all we were dialed in to the processes that take place in a meet situation."
 
Brooke Arvidson, Lyndee Dawson and Anika Gasner were other runners of note in the meet, finishing second, third and fourth overall.
 
"This is such an outstanding group across the board, and it is such a joy to work in harmony with them," said Zimmerman.
 
He and the men's team get back in action Sept. 6 at the Adidas/UC Irvine College & Open.