LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Athletics is pleased to announce Kristin Halte as the Eagles' new Head Softball Coach. Halte will take over a program that has played such a large role in her life as a student athlete and coach.

"Coach Kristin is a high-capacity leader who cares deeply for student-athletes," comments Senior Director of Athletics Dr. Bethany Miller. 

"She is a talented alumna of the program and will continue the strong tradition of faith development through softball. Under her leadership, we anticipate competing at the highest levels within the NCAA Division II."

Kristin Halte has served as a pitching coach for Biola in parts of nine seasons under Lorie Coleman and Nikki Ragin (Udria). Halte's hard work and loyalty to the program allowed her to climb the rankings and take over at the helm of the program. Halte becomes the 10th coach in program history as she replaces Ragin who returned to her alma mater, The University of Oregon, as an assistant coach.

Halte will take over a Biola team that made history in 2021, winning Biola's first team NCAA Division II West Region Championship and appearing in the NCAA Championship Series, ultimately falling to West Texas A&M in three games.

During the 2021 season the Eagles posted a 26-16 overall record and went 14-10 in the PacWest. Biola entered the postseason with the number one toughest strength of schedule in the country, regularly facing tough opponents such as Concordia (CA) and Azusa Pacific. 

Although her official title has changed, Halte's approach to coaching and leadership remains the same.

"We're going to guide each athlete to be the best they can be each and every day while maintaining the high standards that have been set for this program," said Halte. 

Being the new head coach of the program is something that Halte does not take lightly. "Having been a part of this program in one role or another for many years, I have learned a lot from the different coaches that have come before me and mentored me." 

Under Halte's guidance, the Eagles pitching staff finished just behind Concordia during the 2021 season with a team ERA of 2.07, paced by Biola's Female Student Athlete of the year Paige Austin. Austin, who has been coached by Halte for three seasons, led the PacWest with an ERA of 1.25. 

For Halte, taking over the program is more than a promotion, as she continues to build on the legacy that former head coach Lorie Coleman, Halte's aunt, had previously built.

Halte pitched under Coleman and alongside her twin sister Leslie and cousin Vanessa. "It is a great honor to lead a program that has not only changed my life but has changed the trajectory of my family's life for years to come," said Halte.

"It's a good thing to see alumni investing their lives into the same program that God called them into as a student athlete," commented Coleman. "Kristin will keep the culture and spiritual legacy intact as the BU softball program continues the standard of excellence set in motion many years ago." 

In between her success as a collegiate coach, Halte served as the head coach at Valencia High School in Placentia, California. During her two seasons at Valencia, Halte helped lead the Tigers to their first playoff win in ten years with an overall record of 17-8. 

Halte will rely on her experiences as a Biola student athlete and assistant coach to help guide Team 29 back to a championship season. 

"I walked onto the campus as a freshman 14 years ago and it is so awesome to see how God uses all your experiences up until this point to equip you to fill such a role," said Halte. "I'm extremely honored to have the privilege of being named the new Head Coach of Biola Softball."

Halte completed her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with emphasis in teaching and coaching with a minor in Biblical Studies from Biola in 2012. Followed by a Master of Science in Sport Management with a concentration in sport administration at Liberty University in 2016.

She and her husband, Anthony have one daughter, Hayden, who is already Biola Softball's biggest-little fan at Freedom Field.