Tixier Times Two for Biola Swimming
Photo Courtesy: JR Rosania
By Lileana Pearson, Swimming World College Intern
COLUMBIA – Swimming in college is always a bit tricky as one has to become amazing at time management and new social dynamics. But, imagine having to do all that with a sister now on your team. That’s what is happening at Biola swimming with the Tixier sisters, Christine and Lisa.
Biola University is a private liberal arts college located in Southern California, and is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Its teams are always ranked towards the top of the NAIA each year, always have a strong finish at NAIA Nationals. There is little reason to expect less this year.
Head coach Eddie Shepard has been at Biola for 11 season. It was a natural fit for him as he swam and graduated from the University himself, so stepping into the position of head coach was comfortable for him. Since then, he has been building a powerful team with a positive reputation.
The team is strong as a whole; however, you can’t help but notice two outstanding individuals. Christine and Lisa Tixier are a fearsome senior and freshman sister duo from Benton City, Wash. While Christine is going out with a bang, Lisa is just getting started.
Biola and the Tixier sisters found each other by way of a recruiting questionnaire at Biola as Christine took her recruitment seriously with a proactive approach. She was an obvious swimmer to pursue as she was coming into her first college season with a 57.00 in her 100 fly. With the familiarity of her sister, Lisa found herself a home at Biola as well.
With so much potential in the pool, Shepard said that they decided to become part of the NAIA because they were convinced they could succeed at a national level. National recognition is a point that Christine has already done as the NAIA Swimmer of the Year last year, and we can be sure Lisa will follow suit.
“As sisters, you can never be sure how it will play out,” Shepard said. “”Luckily, they are competitive but in a very friendly way. I don’t think there is any animosity and they are more encouragers of each other rather than sibling rivalry.”
They also push the team as a whole. Shepard says Christine shows “. . . how to be very proud of your swimming without taking it too far,” while Lisa brings “. . . a mentality to just get up and go” to the table.
Shepard is expecting big things out of the sisters this year at NAIA Nationals. Christine is currently the two-time NAIA record holder in the 100 fly, and hopes to wrap up her swimming career by doing so again, and possibly setting some new records in the 200 fly and free. Lisa, on the other hand, is being projected to take top three in one or more of her many events.
Also, it doesn’t hurt when you have an amazing strength coach like Swimming World’s J.R. Rosania serving as a consultant for your team.
Lileana Pearson is a freshman swimmer at Lindsey Wilson College at the NAIA level. She is currently a journalism major.
This is a great article. Truly great diction and just an all around good story. A very talented writer.
What a great article! You can tell that you really know what you are talking about!
Great story about two sisters, it is wonderful that get to share the experience together.
Great story!
Well written and very enjoyable to learn about a school and a team so far away. I will be keeping an eye on these two sisters, thanks for all the good information.
Exciting glimpse into the world of competitive college swimming- will be keeping an eye out for these two for certain! Thanks for a great article!
Great article! Very well written and informative!
Sounds like a program that’s worth watching. Thanks for the well-written article. As a novice to the field of swimming myself, I found the writing quite understandable and informative. Nice job!