GENEVA, Ohio --- Almost all of Biola's female runners competed this afternoon and Nicole Falkenstein had her shot a the pole vault, earning her third All-American honor to highlight a successful Friday.
 
Falkenstein's attempts were the biggest, and most nerve-racking, moments of the afternoon. She eventually worked her way up to 3.63m for an eighth-place finish, but it was adventurous getting there.
 
"Nicole showed great stamina and toughness today, making two third-attempt jumps throughout the middle heights, before clearing 3.63m on her first attempt, allowing her to get the last All-American spot," said Head Coach Bill Crumley.
 
In addition to Falkenstein's stellar performance, the Eagles got two solid prelim runs from Kellian Hunt and Anika Gasner.
 
Hunt finished her 1,000m run in 2:56.41 to place second in her heat and advance to tomorrow's finals, and Gasner also reached the finals tomorrow with a 5:00.37 in the mile prelims.
 
"Kellian looked in top form today," said Crumley. "Anika also rebounded nicely from Thursday. I am excited to see what those two and Kevin have in store for us on Saturday.
 
Also running in the 1,000m was Kathleen Bell and Brooke Arvidson. Bell finished 14^th (3:06.03) and Arvidson placed 17^th (3:11.23) in their final individual competition at this national meet.
 
Kate Smiley was the Eagles' only other competitor on this afternoon, posting a :59.85 in the 400m to finish inside the top-30.
 
In the end it all comes back to Falkenstein getting Biola's first All-American nod of this national meet.
 
"Nicole's doggedness in the pole vault today was evidence of the hard work she has been putting in all year; her ability to take 14 vaults today was a testament to her endurance," said Assistant Coach Collin Christensen.
 
The Eagles have three more chances to add to that All-American tally tomorrow with Gasner in the mile finals, Hunt in the 1,000m finals and Kevin Horchler competing in the 5,000m finals.