For the Biola swim and dive teams, the 2025-2026 year means a second year under diving coach Elizabeth Mackay, a large incoming freshman class and carrying on both their athletic and academic excellence from last season. The squads clearly are a very exciting group to keep an eye on this season.
Senior biological sciences major Caleb Pook said he appreciated Mackay’s leadership and experience, and looked forward to what he can learn from her this year.
“We’re going on year two with this new dive coach, “ Pook said. “She is an Olympian from Canada, and she’s extremely over qualified. I’m just really excited for her coaching and learning new stuff.”
Junior nursing major Lauren Smith said she was looking forward to the team bonding and training trips, but was especially looking forward to connecting with the new freshman class.
“I am super excited,” Smith said. “We have a fresh group of freshman girls, and we’re putting in the hard work getting ready to start the season, so I’m really excited to see what the team can do.”
Last season, both the men’s and women’s swim and dive teams received the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Spring Scholar All-American team for the third year in a row. This honor shows how they strive for not only athletic excellence, but academic as well.
On top of that, Pook received an individual honor in the Scholar All American Team. He acknowledged that the overwhelming support of his coaches had played a huge role in his success.
“I’ve been really amazed by their flexibility,” Pook said. “They’re so willing to work with me about what I want to do in my life. I really want to be a doctor, and I remember my coach went and helped me find an internship.”
Sophomore public health major Sarah Squyres came in as a new addition to the team, and is at the start of her swim career. While she’s only been on the team for a short amount of time, Squyres already recognized the care that the coaches put into the education of the team.
“I have to do the study hall hours, and that’s something that’s actually very helpful because it does kind of force me to go to the library and work on homework,” Squyres said. “So the fact that they have that rule, like incentive to do your work and be on top of it.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams have their next meet Saturday, Sept. 26, against Simon Fraser at Lansing Pool. Head coach Nathan Harding recognized the program’s past success, but was intrigued to see what this new season will bring.
“As competitive as I am, I try not to be outcome-driven. Instead, I like to be process-driven,” Harding said.“The best thing we can do is focus on the daily journey, digging into each practice, each moment of preparation, and investing in the athletes and myself as their leader. “If we stay faithful to that process, the results will take care of themselves.”
