LA MIRADA --- An incoming class of five student-athletes is here and ready to excel for the Eagles. The 2024-25 season is underway and Biola men's swimming and diving is looking to build off another successful season that resulted in a conference crown. 

The reigning back-to-back PCSC champs added to their roster over the summer with five new additions. The group of new faces includes four freshmen and one junior transfer from Mt. San Antonio College. All five newcomers hail from California.

The new group will be joining a star-studded roster that kicked off the 2024-25 season in late September at home. The team has three more full meets before the end of the semester and then three more at the beginning of spring, before heading into the PCSC Conference Championships set to start on February 12.

Head Coach Nathan Harding is at the helm, looking to help his team continue its run of success. The strong stretch of swimming led to a pair of PCSC Men's Swim and Dive Coach of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024.

The 2024-25 incoming class has strong ties to Biola Aquatics as Ian Rho and Koen Vos have siblings who are alumni and current teammates.

NEWCOMERS

Ian Rho
Coach Harding: "Ian joins us from Rose Bowl aquatics and will help to contribute in the IM, Backstroke, and Mid-D Freestyle events. Ian has continued to get better throughout his last two years with club swimming and I'm positive our team culture and tradition will only continue to push Ian to new heights. I was impressed with Ian's vision and understanding of how he would fit within the academic side of his student-athlete experience. Ian will be another great Christ-focused scholar-athlete within our program."
Rho: "I chose this school because I could continue my life as a swimmer while also studying the field I wanted to! I am more than thankful for the opportunity that I was provided and am excited to enter the next chapter of my life! Go Eagles!"

Mason Davis
Coach Harding: "Mason is another Bakersfield area connection who joins our Men's team with a strength in sprinting. Mason knew very early on in the recruiting process that he wanted to be a part of the Biola community. I'm excited to watch Mason grow within our sprint program.  I could tell Mason loves to race and he definitely has a passion for competition." 
Davis: "I am excited and honored to swim and study at Biola University. I want to start off by thanking God for giving me the opportunity to swim at the next level. I'd like to thank my family and friends for all their support and love throughout the years and pushing me to accomplish my dream. Thank you to all the coaches who have taught me everything I know about swimming. Thank you coach Nate for giving me the opportunity to swim for Biola! Go Eagles!"

Jonathan De Dios
Coach Harding: "Jonathan is young and developing local talent that is a great swim and spiritual fit for our campus and swim program. Jonathan has a lot of raw ability and untapped potential that is going to be very fun to develop over the next few seasons. Jonathan looks to add to our sprint and Mid-D Freestyle groups here at Biola."
De Dios: "I am happy to be at Biola University and to pursue my academics, faith, and swimming career. I want to thank my family, God, and Coach Harding for giving me these opportunities and the ones I will receive. I am beyond excited to start this new journey of my life to improve myself and build a closer relationship to God. Go Eagles!"

Koen Vos 
Coach Harding: "We are glad to have another talented swimmer in Koen join our sprint group. He comes from a talented family of swimmers and will look to carve his own path at Biola! Koen is passionate about the sport of swimming and we are so excited to have him add depth to our Sprint group. I expect Koen to step in and make an immediate impact at the conference level. Huge shout out to Coach Rick Nordell for allowing Koen to benefit from both student-athlete experiences at Biola." 
Vos: "I am so excited to continue my academic and athletic career at Biola! Playing sports in college has always been a dream of mine and I am overjoyed that I get to do it at a school as great as Biola. I can't wait to grow as a student, athlete, and a child of God. Go Eagles!"

Samuel Slezak:
Coach Harding: "Sam joins us after becoming a decorated Distance and Mid-Distance swimmer from Mount San Antonio College. Sam should step right in and add depth to MOST of our freestyle events. Sam looks to continue to push the envelope and help our program have a presence at NCAAs. Sam is also  passionate about having a Christ-centered student-athlete experience so we  look forward to watching him grow spiritually during his time on campus." 
Slezak: "I am extremely blessed that I will be continuing my student-athlete journey at Biola University. Big thank you to Coach Marc, Coach Lani, Coach Shane, Coach Louis, and Coach Damon for helping me unlock my talents so I can take them to the next level. I am looking forward to continuing to glorify the Lord by utilizing the talents that He has blessed me with to my fullest ability. Go Eagles!"