GULF SHORES, Ala. --- Two of the most beloved student-athletes to come through the Biola Track & Field program saw their careers come to a close on Thursday during a strong and long day one of competition at the 2016 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Andrew Daedler, who spent the fall as an assistant coach, resurrected his career as an athlete this spring and it paid off with another trip to a NAIA national meet. Daedler competed in the men's 1,500-meter prelims and placed ninth in his heat with a 4:00.09 as he competed for the final time in red and white.
 
Nicole Falkenstein, competing for the last day before she hops back on a plane to walk in her graduation tomorrow, set a new school record in the pole vault (3.75m) and finished tied for second, which is Biola's best finish ever in pole vault at the national championship.
 
"I thought Nicole did an absolutely fantastic job today," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "She has always been a great competitor and we knew coming into the meet that she was capable of competing with anyone in the meet if she was feeling good. Coach Tipton has done a great job working with her this year, and we were very excited to watch her finish out her career with a school record and her best ever finish at nationals. I will miss having Nicole here next year; she has been a true blessing to our team."
 
Every other competition on Thursday was also in the form of a prelim heat. Anika Gasner, Kellian Hunt and Hannah Hunsaker ran in the 1,500m, Lyndee Dawson, Stephanie Croy and Emily Ransom competed in the 3,000m steeplechase and a 4x800m relay team was on the docket.
 
Hunt and Gasner highlighted a quick heat in the 1,500m. The Eagles' standout seniors finished first and third in their heat to advance to the final on Sunday afternoon. Hunt paced the group with a 4:32.20. Gasner was not much further back as she posted a 4:33.70.
 
The 4x800m team also made it out of prelims. Alisa Murray, Hunsaker, Dawson and Hunt finished second in one of the three heats with a 9:11.72 to ensure All-American honors for another Biola relay.
 
"We had a little adversity before the race. Anika wasn't feeling well so I had to insert another runner into the lineup," said Henning. "Lyndee did a great job filling that role. The girls executed seamlessly, running smart and controlled and being aware of where they were in the race."
 
The steeplechase was the final event of the day featuring student-athletes from Biola. Croy and Ransom ran in the first heat and managed to make their way into the final with times of 11:02 and 11:06. A late push from Ransom helped her secure the second-to-last spot in the finals in a gritty effort from the freshman.
 
Then, just about an hour after her leg in the 4x800m relay, Dawson came out and made a statement with a third-place finish in the second steeplechase heat. She was a comfortable second place up until the final lap when she took the foot off the pedal just a bit since she knew she was qualified for finals. She finished with a 10:59 and is heading into finals with the 7^th fastest prelim time.
 
"I was so proud of how our 'steeple people' did today," said Henning. "They all moved on to the finals and ran great races. Emily Ransom, who hit an automatic qualifier in our last meet of the year, ran like a savvy veteran, stayed composed and committed, and set a personal-best by seven seconds."
 
Competition resumes at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Biola is scheduled to compete in the 800-meter prelims and 4x800m relay finals. The women's 800m is at noon pacific and the men's is at 12:20 p.m., with the relay final later in the day.
 
All events can be viewed live at NAIANetwork.com and live stats are available at http://www.cfpitiming.com/2016_Outdoor_Season/NAIA_2016/NAIA_championship_2016.htm?DB_OEM_ID=27900.