GULF SHORES, Ala. --- For the first time in program history Biola Track & Field has a women's 4x800m relay national championship. Hannah Hunsaker, Lyndee Dawson, Kellian Hunt and Anika Gasner combined to run a record 8:57.16 as they ran away with Biola's first championship of the meet.
 
"The women's 4x800 team did a fantastic job," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "Before the race we talked about each of them doing their job and that, just like the body of Christ, each of them has an important role and when put together they would make up something special."
 
The four women did exactly that. They worked as a team from start to finish in the relay to put forth an awe-inspiring performance that solicited some nonstop cheering and support from Biola's section of the bleachers at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium.
 
Hunsaker took the baton to begin the race and did a great job of keeping the Eagles right around fourth or fifth as she ran against some of the best runners on the other teams.
 
She handed the baton to Dawson who used a quick burst at the beginning of her leg to move up into third place and then closed strong to be just behind the leader when she made a smooth hand-off to Hunt.
 
Hunt, the reigning NAIA Cross Country National Champion, used her length and mental acumen to open up a huge lead for Biola before handing off to her fellow four-year senior Anika Gasner.

Gasner ran a quick split to ensure a record-setting performance, and the championship was never really in doubt from start to finish throughout her 800 meters. She sprinted through the finish to put up the 8:57 and improve upon the record of 9:03.52 that she, Hunt, Alisa Murray and Kathleen Christensen set last season.
 
"Hannah did a great job of keeping us in the mix and not letting anyone separate from her. Lyndee ran a smart race and closed really well to put it in second," said Henning. "Kellian ran a very smart race and was patient the first lap. Then she pulled away from the field and gave us a nice gap. Anika did a great job of staying under control and not freaking out about being in first place. She ran her race and ran an even one. I was very proud of how the girls competed and they have worked extremely hard to earn this title."
 
Biola's previous top 4x800m relay finish was a runner-up mark in 2013. That team was comprised of Gasner, Hunt, Alexandria Sciarra and Alicia Hoverson.
 
The individual 800-meter prelims were also run on a relatively light Friday at the track. Alisa Murray and Wes Noyes each finished sixth in their heat to end their appearances in the prelim stage. Murray ran a 2:20.44 and Noyes finished in 1:55.85.
 
"Alisa unfortunately had a rough day today. Nonetheless, she did her best I'm thankful that she was able to be here and compete," said Henning. "Wes moved up from his ranking, which was last coming in to the meet. He finished 18th and made a good run at moving on to finals but unfortunately just ran out of steam the last 200 meters."
 
Murray was a part of the Eagles' 4x800m relay team that ran in the prelims to qualify for the final that they went on to win.
 
Saturday marks the final day of competition for the year as the Eagles end the 2016 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships looking for a whole lot more points. Biola enters the day with 17 points and has a chance to accumulate more when six of its team members compete in the 1,500m, 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase.
 
Live video is available at NAIANetwork.com. Live results are available at http://www.cfpitiming.com/liveresults/2016_Outdoor/NAIA_2016/. Coverage is also available throughout the day by following @BiolaAthletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.