The Biola swim team took on rival Azusa Pacific University in a dual meet at La Mirada’s Splash! Aquatics Center on Saturday. Although the Biola swimmers were closer to home, Azusa Pacific finished victorious. Both teams swam well, but the size of the Azusa Pacific team proved advantageous. Despite their defeat, many Biola swimmers improved their times and were able to leave the meet with their heads held high.

Early momentum for Biola

The meet started out positively, thanks to the success of the 400 yard Medley Relay team. The Eagles won by nine seconds thanks to the efforts of junior Amber Kiel, senior April Smith, junior Brittney Rosania, and senior Emily Mosbacher. The momentum continued into the next race as Biola finished second, third, and fifth in the 1650 yard freestyle. Junior Allison Seek led the way for the Eagles with a time of 19:11, followed by junior Amber Kiel at 19:26, then freshman Tessa McFarland finishing at 20:48. Unfortunately, the momentum from these first races did not carry them through the rest of the meet with Azusa Pacific ultimately prevailing.

Despite the loss, the Eagles left Splash with positive spirits. “We’ve come off of two very intense weeks of training for our team since returning from the Christmas break for Interterm,” said head coach Brittany Sharpe.

Individual athlete overcomes illness to swim

This hard work was clearly visible through the work of sophomore Bailey Johnson who qualified for Nationals with her 5:06 time in the 400 yard Individual Medley. She joins a select group of teammates in this event, and was humbled by the qualification after battling adversity earlier in the season.

Johnson fought setbacks to her season from contracting pneumonia. Although frustrating and inconvenient, she embraced the challenge as one that would contribute to her spiritual and personal growth.

“God has shown me so much this past summer and leading up to this point in the season about how it’s not about me and how well I am doing, but instead how I can use the talent He’s given me to glorify Him,” she said.

This humbling experience has enlightened her to God’s power and the work he does through her and her teammates. Johnson’s new perspective leaves her well prepared for the challenges up the road.

Looking ahead

The Biola swim team travels to Phoenix, Ariz. this weekend, with hopes to make a splash against Grand Canyon University. Their rigorous training will continue through the break as the end of the season races closer.