ALISO VIEJO, Calif. --- Biola Swim & Dive came to the conclusion of a stretch that included five consecutive weekends of meets as it competed in the 2015 SOKA Invitational on Saturday morning.
 
While the Eagles were not necessarily looking to score high in the team scores, they ended up doing so anyways thanks to some great relay swims and a few standour individual performances.
 
The reigning Pacific Collegiate Swim & Dive Conference NAIA Swimmer of the Week, Christina Ali, had another marvelous meet with a new national cut (200-freestyle – 2:01.71), a first place finish (100-breaststroke – 1:07.01) and a first place relay finish (400-free relay).
 
"I think we swam really strong today, and our student-athletes really showed their grit," said Head Coach Eddie Shepard. "I know that they are exhausted and are ready for recovery, but it was important for us to come out at race hard today."
 
Racing hard earned the Eagles a third-place finish in a tight meet on the women's side and a second place finish on the men's side. Biola's finished within 40 points of the meet winner, Concordia, and just 15 points behind second place Azusa Pacific.
 
Another swimmer that powered the women's finish was Lisa Tixier. She was the other individual to win an event as she claimed the 50-freestyle crown over a group of talented sprinters. She set a new season-best in the short race by finishing in :24.43.
 
The guys saw two individual get event wins as Kenny Alcosiba swam a 2:16.62 to claim the 200-breaststroke and Michael Severi went 1:48.03 to win the 200-freestyle.
 
"I think one of my favorite swims of the meet was Michael's 200-free," said Shepard. "He was in second heading into the final 50, but he had a really strong last lap to take the event.
 
The men finished behind only Concordia, who won the meet with a total of 373 points.
 
Fifteen Biola swimmers set new season-best times in at least one event as the team surged toward its break in the season. The team has the next two weekends off before resuming competition at Chapman University on Dec. 5.