Kingdom Glimpses - Biola University

Family Ties Are a Win for Biola Sports
Back row, from left: Phillip Friehe, Derek Friehe, Tavea Hampton, Jared Fenlason, Aaron Fenlason.
Front row: Leslie Larson, Brian Shepard, Lindsay Dietzen, Kristin Larson, Derek Dietzen.
In the world of sports, a team often provides
athletes a “home away from home” — with road
trips and intense schedules that make players
feel as close as kin.
But for many of Biola University’s sports
teams, this family atmosphere is more than just a
feeling. It’s actual. Biola’s sports program kicked
off this year with 10 sets of siblings from across
the nation, including three sets of brothers on
the men’s soccer team alone.
“It is kind of weird to think that three groups
of brothers would actually want to go to the same
school as their older brothers, but it’s nice that
there is that strong sense of family on the soccer
team,” said Jared Fenlason, a sophomore
defenseman from Rancho Bernardo, Calif.
Jared’s younger brother, Aaron Fenlason, a
freshman goalkeeper for the team, is playing on a
scholarship. With less than two years separating
them, the Fenlason brothers have played together
on several teams both in the U.S. and abroad.
“I enjoy playing with him because we know
how to push each other and make each other
better Christians and players on the field,”
Aaron said.
The men’s soccer team is also home to
brothers Derek and Phillip Friehe, of Moses
Lake, Wash., and Nick and Zach Bautista, of
Orange, Calif., while the women’s team
features twins Ashley and Heather Moseley, of
1 6
Hemet, Calif.
But Biola’s siblinghood extends far beyond
the soccer field.
Matt and Kim Arroues, of South Lake
Tahoe, Calif., have been cross-country runners
since grade school and decided Biola was the best
place for them to continue running and to find
community with others.
“Having my older sister on the team is nice
because she can help me,” Matt said. “There was
a little competition when we were younger, but
now we just both concentrate on our team and
our running.”
Sophomore volleyball player Lindsay
Dietzen, of Moses Lake, Wash., followed in her
older brother’s footsteps to the university; Derek
Dietzen is a pitcher for Biola’s baseball team. One
of Derek’s teammates and fellow pitchers, Brian
Albert, anticipates his own little sister, Jillian,
becoming the newest addition to the women’s
softball team this interterm.
Similarly, senior basketball star Rocky
Hampton inspired his younger sister Tavea, a
volleyball player, to enthusiastically participate in
Biola sports.
The list doesn’t stop there. Eddie and Brian
Shepard also bring the family atmosphere to
Biola’s sports program, but not as teammates.
While Brian can be found in the water for the
Eagles, his older brother Eddie can be found at
Neph Trejo
the pool’s edge as head coach of the swim team.
And rounding out the lineup are Kristin
and Leslie Larson, freshman sisters from Rialto,
Calif., who as a pitcher and catcher form a potential
future battery for the women’s softball team.
From field to court to swimming pool, these
families of athletes from around the country are
leaving sibling rivalry on the sidelines and helping
to build tight-knit teams. On and off the field,
these students are more than classmates, more
than teammates. They are brothers and sisters —
literally and in Christ.
“We consider everyone as a brother and we
treat each other like family,” Jared Fenlason said.
“To say I have one brother on the team would be
wrong. I have 20 brothers on the team.”
– Valerie Russell
Get in the Game!
Show your Eagle pride by attending an upcoming
game — either at Biola or on the road. Remaining
home games for Biola’s basketball teams are listed
below. More details and schedules for Biola’s other
teams can be found at www.biola.edu/athletics.
Men’s Basketball
Dec. 29 Bethany University
Dec. 31 University of Montana-Western
Jan. 3 University of Redlands
Jan. 6 Azusa Pacific University
Jan. 13 Westmont College
Jan. 24 California Baptist University
Jan. 29 Point Loma Nazarene University
Feb. 3 Fresno Pacific University
Feb. 14 San Diego Christian College
Feb. 21 Concordia University
Feb. 24 The Master’s College
March 2 Hope International University
Women’s Basketball
Dec. 31 Whittier College
Jan. 6 Azusa Pacific University
Jan. 13 Westmont College
Jan. 24 California Baptist University
Jan. 29 Point Loma Nazarene University
Feb. 3 Fresno Pacific University
Feb. 12 Chapman University
Feb. 14 San Diego Christian College
Feb. 21 Concordia University
Feb. 24 The Master’s College
March 2 Hope International University
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