LA MIRADA --- The Eagles have started the fall with eight new faces in a roster of 26 athletes. Head Coach Nathan Harding has his team primed and ready for a strong 2024-25 campaign.

The new season began at home in Lansing Pool and will start to ramp up heading into November. The focus is the PCSC Conference Championships which is set for the week of February 12.

The newcomers class of eight student-athletes will look to make an immediate impact for the Eagles. The group consists of seven freshmen and one sophomore transfer from Loyola Marymount.

NEWCOMERS

Malia Ciolli 
Specialty: IM and Breaststroke 
Coach Harding: "I knew from our very first conversation during the recruiting process that Malia was going to be an amazing contributor to this program in and out of the pool. Malia loves Jesus and will also add some depth in our IM and Breaststroke events."
Ciolli: "I can't wait to grow academically, spiritually, and athletically with Coach Nate and the team!! I want to thank God for this opportunity and my family, Coach Wes, Jesse, Jen, and Mark for helping me reach my goals. Go Eagles."

Megan Gifford 
Specialty: Butterfly 
Coach Harding: "I'm very excited to watch Megan grow during her time at Biola. I really wanted Megan to join our program because even throughout the recruiting process, she showed a sense of determination and initiative that is rare in prospective student-athletes. After watching her continue to drop time through her senior year, I knew she just needed an opportunity at the next level and she would likely flourish. I'm excited to watch her grow spiritually, athletically, and academically!"
Gifford: "I'm super excited to swim on this team, grow as an athlete, and to see what God has for me in CA! I'm beyond thankful for this amazing opportunity given to me and to enter into this next step of my life!! Go Eagles!"

Lydia Hawthorne 
Specialty: IM, Breaststroke, and Butterfly
Coach Harding: "We are fortunate to bring in Lydia in as a transfer student from LMU. Lydia is a versatile swimmer who will add depth to our IM and Breaststroke group. I got to watch Lydia excel at our conference meet and I know she will continue to trend up as she trains and competes with us. I am very thankful that God opened the door for her to swim and study at Biola!"
Hawthorne: "I'm so thrilled to be able to continue my athletic and academic careers at Biola University! My previous college discontinued their swim team and I truly wondered if that would be the end of my swimming. Through lots of prayer, I felt led to reach out to the coaches at Biola as a potential transfer. Seeing as their team is in the same conference, I had the opportunity to observe Biola at meets. I fell in love with the team culture and the way all glory was given to God through every swim."

Kinley Manuel 
Specialty: Sprint Freestyle 
Coach Harding: "It was a blessing to cross paths with Kinley on the recruiting trail. Once she got to experience a taste of our student-athlete experience while visiting the campus, I knew that our program would benefit from having her join our team. Kinley should fit right in with our sprint group. She loves Jesus and is excited to train and develop with the sprinters. I'm excited to see her development over the next four years."
Manuel: "I am blessed to have this opportunity. I couldn't have done it without the grace of God and the support of my parents, coaches and friends through it all!! GO EAGLES!"

Emily Sheldon 
Specialty: Distance Freestyle/ Backstroke 
Coach Harding: "We are excited to have Emily add some depth to our Distance and Mid-Distance groups within our program. She established Biola as a top choice pretty early in her recruiting process. I was most impressed and probably most excited about her spirit of perseverance throughout her high school and club swim journey. Emily will be another spiritual pillar within our women's program."
Sheldon: "I want to thank God, my family, my friends, and my coaches for supporting me on my swimming journey. I also want to thank Coach Nathan and the Biola Swim Team for this amazing opportunity! I can't wait! Go Eagles!!"

Opal Vail 
Specialty: Sprint Freestyle and Backstroke
Coach Harding: "Opal is an exciting young backstroke talent who has a lot of fast swimming ahead of her. I look forward to watching her sprint freestyle develop in addition to her backstroke. I enjoyed my interactions with Opal and her family during the recruiting process. Opal will be another strong spiritual pillar within our women's program."  
Vail: "I chose to commit to Biola University because of the amazing team environment, the school and swim values, and the wonderful faces I met along the recruiting process.!"

Simei van Staden 
Specialty: Breaststroke/IM/Sprint free 
Coach Harding: "I am excited to have our first international athletes on the women's side. Simei comes from a quality club in South Africa. She should step in right away and contribute to our Breaststroke/IM and Sprint groups."
Van Staden: "I am so excited that I found the perfect place I can call home for the next four years! I am committed to Biola University and I am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity. I value my athletic pursuits in swimming, my dedication to academics, and the opportunity for a Christian-centered education. Biola University offers a balance between my interests and values, providing an environment where I can thrive both athletically and academically whilst also fostering my spiritual growth. Go Eagles!"

Elizabeth Williams 
Specialty: Sprint Freestyle and Butterfly
Coach Harding: "Elizabeth is a great Butterfly and IM talent that will add depth to stroke and IM groups. I am also excited to see her develop her Sprint Free at the college level. I was most impressed with Elizabeth's heart for Christ as I got to know her during the recruiting process. I'm confident Elizabeth will look to push her teammates in the pool but more importantly push her teammates towards Christ."
Williams: "I'm so excited for the next four years at Biola!! I chose Biola because it is so evident that Jesus is the foundation of the academics, athletics, and everything else they stand for. I'm so grateful for my coaches, family, and friends who have encouraged me in these next steps. Thank you Jesus for how you provide. Go Eagles!"