LA MIRADA, Calif. ---  For the second-straight year, Biola Athletics is taking to social media and its website to announce its annual EDDIES awards. Since we were unable to announce our finalists and celebrate student-athletes in person with an end-of-year banquet, we will take the next two weeks to do so online and via social media to look back at the most memorable performances of Spring 2021.

The process continues today as we announce the winner of the 2021 Female Newcomer of the Year award. This award is meant to honor the best of the first-year Eagles. The list includes both freshmen and transfers for the 2021 season. 

The 2021 winner of the Biola Female Newcomer of the Year award is Meghan Tolman from Biola Swim & Dive. Tolman joins Kellynn Hayes as the second Biola swimmer to earn the honor, Biola Sim & Dive back-to-back EDDIES in the category.  

Tolman had an incredible regular season as she played a critical role in Biola Swim & Dive securing a perfect 7-0 season while taking down all five NCAA Division I opponents they faced. Tolman would go on to have success at the 2021 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships as well as a 2021 Pacific Collegiate Swimming & Diving Conference Championship.

In her first collegiate meet, the local product from Brea, California, picked up wins in the 50-freestyle (:24.32) and 100-breaststroke (1:05.52) while also securing a win in the 400-medley relay alongside her teammates. 

Her season would blossom from there as she earned NCAA All-American honors, set school records and won multiple PCSC Championships while leading her team to its first team conference title. 

Not only did Tolman qualify for nationals, she set a new school record during her preliminary race in the 100-breaststroke with a time of 1:02.18. Tolman would go on to finish eighth in the event and pick up Biola's first-ever NCAA DII All-American first team honor. 

After the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, Tolman returned home to prepare for the 2021 PCSC Championships, where she won PCSC titles in the 50-freestyle and 100-breaststroke and also finished second in the 100-freestyle. In addition to individual performance, Tolman helped two relays to top-2 finishes.

"To accomplish all that Meghan Tolman achieved in her true freshman season is quite remarkable. Her consistency throughout the season and great success at nationals and the conference meet was fun to follow," said Associate Athletic Director Neil Morgan. "She and her teammates have set up quite a bright future for Biola Swim & Dive. Our department is so proud of this team and we are looking forward to even more success in the future."

Past Female Newcomer of the Year Award Winners:
Meghan Tolman (2021)
Kellynn Hayes (2020)
Katelyn Penner (2019)
Paige Austin (2018)
Christina Rodriguez (2017)

Head on over to our @BiolaAthletics Instagram account to leave some love for Meghan.

On Tuesday, we plan to announce the 2021 recipient of the Male Newcomer of the Year Award.

EDDIES Release Schedule 
July 5 - Finalists Announced - Female Newcomer of the Year 
July 6 - Finalists Announced - Male Newcomer of the Year
July 7 - Finalists Announced - Breakout Performance of the Year
July 8 - Finalists Announced - Female Student-Athlete of the Year
July 9 - Finalists Announced - Male Student-Athlete of the Year
July 12 - Winner Announced - Female Newcomer of the Year
July 13 - Winner Announced - Male Newcomer of the Year
July 14 - Winner Announced - Breakout Performance of the Year
July 15 - Winner Announced - Female Student-Athlete of the Year
July 16 - Winner Announced - Male Student-Athlete of the Year
July 19 - Winner Announced - Dr. Dave Holmquist Career Achievement Award