PORTAGE, Mich. --- As Head Coach Ryan Kauth continues to build Biola Swim & Dive into a premier NCAA Division II program, he reached a little bit outside of the sunny Southern California comfort zone to get one of his 2019 committed recruits, Audrey Vermeulen.

Vermeulen is a freestyle and individual medley swimmer, who specializes in middle distance and distance. She comes to Biola after a fantastic high school career for the Mustangs of Portage Central High School in southern Michigan.

"From the moment I first met the team and stepped on campus, I knew this was the place God was calling me," said Vermeulen. "From the sunny California weather to beautiful facilities, the campus was nothing short of amazing. I loved the coaching staff and their belief in me. The team atmosphere felt so welcoming, I knew this is where I wanted to call home for the next four years!"

Most recently, Vermeulen played a huge role in her team taking second-place at their league championship meet. She finished top-3 in both of her individual events, setting lifetime-bests in the 200-freestyle (1:54.01) and the 100-backstroke (1:01.25).

She was also a part of a 400-freestyle relay team that won the league championship and set a new league record with a time of 3:35.58. In that race, Vermeulen split :54.41.

Vermeulen's Mustangs also made the trip to the Division II state meet in Michigan, where Vermeulen's team finished fourth in the field of 45 with just six female swimmers participating in the meet.

Her league championship relay team went on to take the state title as well, going 3:31.51 to set a new school record.That time she split a :53.50 to set a new lifetime-best and have her hurdling towards a successful four years at Biola.

"We are extremely excited to have Audrey join our program next season," said Kauth. "She was one of the most enthusiastic athletes I have ever had the pleasure of recruiting here at Biola and it spoke volumes about how much she would bring to our team, athletically and spiritually."

She also spent nine years swimming for club teams. Her biggest moment came in summer 2017 when she was the Michigan state champion in long course 400-IM.

"She has been consistently improving this season with her club and high school teams, which has the staff anxious to continue to guide her to the next level in, and out of the pool," said Kauth. "Her current times will allow her to be an instant-contributor for us on the Conference, and NCAA level."

Outside of the pool she participated in the National Society of High School Scholars and was in IB and honors classes throughout her high school career.

Over the summer in 2018, she traveled to Haiti to volunteer at Children of the Promise with my church.

"It was the most eye-opening two weeks of life," said Vermeulen. "Seeing the conditions these people live in is so heartbreaking but they remain positive despite their current situation with smiles on their faces no matter what the circumstance faced."

Vermeulen will join the team in fall of 2019 in Biola's first year eligible for NCAA Division II national competition.