LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. --- Biola Swim & Dive and Biola Athletic Training will be gaining a gem with the commitment of Tanner Smith. Smith, a senior at Aliso Niguel High School, is a top-16 CIF finisher and a man with his eye on helping the world of athletics by caring for those who need help with injuries (athletic training).

"The reason I chose Biola was because the swim team has a lot of potential, and the coaches are amazing and so passionate towards their jobs," said Smith. "So I wanted to be part of an up-and-coming swim team that is gonna be super strong in a few years. I want to help build this program with Coaches Kauth and Nate till its a top-notch NCAA Division II program."

Smith will have a chance to contribute to that success immediately as a middle-distance freestyle swimmer. He's coming in with top times of :46.64 in the 100-freestyle and 1:43.15 in the 200-freestyle, which are his primary events.

Last year, Smith finished 13th in prelims and 18th in finals at the CIF-Southern Section Division I championships in the 100-freestyle. He also had a pair of top-5 finishes in the league championships to help lift his team to a South Coast League Championship.

He also had success in club swimming for Dolphin Aquatics, qualifying for the futures championships and making several sectional meets.

Smith's love for the water extends past the walls of the pool. He loves surfing and is at the beach almost every day. He's also actively involved in his church's student ministries, helping out with a homeless ministry in LA and other outreach programs.

He plans to study kinesiology and pursue a career helping athletes, as mentioned above. Catch him in the water at Biola, training and competing for Head Coach Ryan Kauth starting next fall.