Peyton Nelson has been a standout for the Biola women's soccer team since the start of her collegiate career, becoming one of the program's all-time leading scorers and a three-time all-conference honoree, including All-PacWest Second Team recognition this season.

For Nelson, one sport wasn't enough. During her senior year, she is taking on a new challenge after ending her soccer career. She traded her cleats for goggles, diving headfirst, quite literally, into competition as one of the newest members of the Biola women's swim and dive team.

"Sports are an opportunity to glorify God through the talents and gifts He's given you," said Nelson.

TRANSITION TO DIVING
What began as a casual conversation with head swim and dive coach Nate Harding last summer quickly turned into a roster spot and a defining moment that altered her senior season.

"The joy of the sport has come back, and I forgot how fun it is," said Nelson.

Prior to her college days, Nelson dove from fourth to ninth grade.

"I feel like it's the perfect way to end my senior year," said Nelson. "This is a sweet end to senior year because I'm not leaving the sports world yet."

There may not seem to be a direct correlation between soccer and diving, but Nelson views her soccer career as translating into her diving career.

"The mental toughness, along with the physical toughness, translates," said Nelson. "I'm coming in, and it's been seven years since I last dove, and to do your best is the mindset."

Diving requires complete mental commitment, especially when performing backward or twisting maneuvers. For Nelson, success comes down to trusting the process. Nelson's main motto is to count to three and fully commit.

BALANCING THE LOAD
Nelson's responsibilities extend far beyond athletics. In addition to competing in two sports, she is also pursuing a degree in nursing, one of the most demanding majors on campus. As she tackles her tasks, she has the mindset that everything is doable. She credits the Lord for blessing her.

"It's been tough, but the coaches have been so forgiving and understanding, and the nursing department has been super caring," said Nelson. "So I feel like I was never on my own; they were working with me."

Biola wants to foster students' passions and see them succeed in all avenues, not just academics. Her support starts with her mentors, but her teams are her cheerleaders.

"Soccer has the sweetest sisterhood, where you have your girls that you're in the grind together," said Nelson. "And the swim environment is unique because you have both sisters and brothers in Christ that you're competing with."

FAITH AT THE CENTER
Nelson wants her legacy not to be about her or her successes on the field or on the boards.

"The legacy I want to leave is playing in a way to honor and glorify God," said Nelson. "And using it as a mission field. It's about how I have encouraged others in their faith in this process."

For Nelson, being an Eagle is not just about representing herself. She is representing the Lord. Knowing that, each time she steps on the board or on the field, it is an opportunity for her to worship God through the talents He's given her.

"To be an Eagle is to use your gifts as a way of worship," said Nelson. "Finding opportunities to share the love of Jesus, realizing you're not playing for yourself, but you're playing to worship the Lord and glorify Him through it. Each athletic arena is a different mission field you're entering into."