SOUTH GATE, Calif. --- Three days in a row of long days of swimming can really wear down a team. Recognizing this going into a Sunday full of competition at the Collegiate Winter Invite Head Coach Ryan Kauth had all of his swimmers write down any season and lifetime bests they accomplished on days one and two of competition.
At the end of the line there were 26 names on the whiteboard, which illustrated just how successful the team was to that point and motivated the swimmers to give all they had to make the final day of the invite just as successful.
When all was said and done the Eagles came away with podium finishes on both sides in the ultra-competitive mid-season meet. The men placed third, just behind Concordia-Irvine and the University of Redlands. The women ended the weekend with 1,572 points to place ahead of Azusa Pacific and behind only Concordia-Irvine for a second place team finish.
"Going into the day, we made a conscious decision to make the day about our Lord and Savior, and focus on Him in each and every one of our swims; to be mindful that we can accomplish nothing without Him," said Kauth. "All of our hopes and dreams have Him as the centerpiece. I encouraged the athletes to feel His power move within each and every one of them, and have Him bless our relationships as teammates, and coaches."
In addition to what ended up to be great team finishes the Eagles also saw another school record fall on the final day of competition. Raymond Kam now owns both the 200-butterfly and 200-breaststroke school records as he finished with a 2:08.96 and placed second in the 200-breaststroke finals. He broke a record set by Chad LeJeune in March 2014.
"Raymond has put in an extraordinary amount of time and effort into his training, and perfecting his technique since the moment I arrived on campus," said Kauth. "The excitement he brings to practice everyday has helped him and his teammates get better everyday. He has been incredibly driven to be successful, and in my mind, is undoubtedly deserving to have his name on our record board."
The team also had 13 individual A-finalists on the final day and set itself up for success in the relays. The women's 400-freestyle relay earned Biola's fourth relay victory of the meet to end the entire meet on a high note.
Rachel Stinchcomb, Rebecca Brandt, Emily Silzel and Lisa Tixier combined for a 3:32.35 to beat the top relay team from Azusa Pacific by over a second.
"Emily Silzel lead off with a :53.01 – a time that would have gotten her second in the 100-freestyle earlier that night behind Lisa," said Kauth. "Lisa split :50.21 anchoring the relay; .21 off of a 49!"
Tixier won that 100-freestyle event by over two seconds with an exceptional swim of :51.00 on the dot. Silzel had a :53.35 at that final to finish fourth.
Take a look at the results to see the rest of the Eagles' top finalists in the women's 100-backstroke, 100-freestyle, 200-breaststroke and 200-butterfly and the men's 200-backstroke, 100-freestyle, 200-breaststroke and 200-butterfly.
"This was by far the most impressive swim meet I have ever been a part of as a coach. These swimmers were inspiring. They inspired themselves, each other, and us as coaches," said Kauth. "From top to bottom, everyone performed with an excitement I had never witnessed before. I couldn't be more proud of what they were able to accomplish, and more excited to see what the rest of the season has in store."
It's a quick turnaround for the team as they swim at Whittier College this coming Saturday.
