The dive team at Biola continued to build momentum this season, turning steady improvement into one of its strongest overall performances in recent years.
Much of that growth came from athletes who stepped up. For senior biological sciences major, Caleb Pook, the season marked a major comeback. After dislocating his elbow last year and being told he might not fully recover, Pook returned to competition with a new mindset and exceeded his own expectations.
“When I got injured, the first doctor I saw told me I probably wouldn’t even be able to straighten my arm again or compete,” Pook said. “So being able to come back and do better than I ever have before was way more than I could have expected.”
That perspective shaped the way he approached the season.
“I just came in more appreciative,” Pook said. “Other years it felt more like work. This time I was just thankful to even be there.”
At the same time, the team itself looked different. With a large group of new athletes, only two returning, the season brought a fresh energy that helped push the program forward.
“Having such a new team made it feel exciting,” Pook said. “It just made the whole season feel different.”
PERFORMING WHEN IT COUNTS
That growth carried into the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships, where Biola athletes competed against top Division II programs.
For Pook, success at that level came down to staying mentally steady in high pressure moments.
“The biggest thing is staying relaxed and balanced,” Pook said. “I always pray before a dive, clear my head and focus on what I need to do.”
He also relies on a unique routine, physically modeling his dives on deck before each attempt.
“By the time I get up there, it feels like I’ve already done it,” Pook said.
While Pook’s performance highlighted the diving side, the broader swim and dive program also saw athletes step up in key moments, such as junior business administration major Josh Peace.
For Peace, the season was not perfect, but still meaningful.
“It was kind of an off year. I didn’t really hit any of my goals,” Peace said. “But it was pretty cool to win the 1000 and the mile at conference and score the most points on the team.”
His focus throughout the season came down to trusting the work put in during training.
“You just have to rely on your training,” Peace said. “When you get behind the block, you kind of just shut your brain off and swim your race.”
Peace utilized that mindset as he approached finals, where representing Biola meant being part of something bigger than just one season.
“It means everything,” Peace said. “We were the first guys in school history to make it last year, so it’s cool to be part of that foundation and hopefully keep building it.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As the season comes to a close, the results point to a program that is continuing to grow. With athletes gaining experience at the national level and pushing through challenges, Biola’s swim and dive teams are building toward something more consistent.
For Pook, the season is a reminder of how quickly things can change.
“Just being able to be here and compete,” he said, “that’s something I don’t take for granted anymore.”
And for athletes like Peace, the focus is on what comes next, and continuing to build a program that can compete year after year.
Together, their seasons reflect both individual growth and a team that is starting to find its place on a bigger stage.
