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Swim Team

About BEST


The Biola youth swim program or BEST (Biola Eagle Swim Team) is a year-round, non-profit program focused on developing swimmers in a fun and positive environment while still providing higher-level opportunities for the intense competitor. The program is designed to refine starts, turns and the four competitive strokes while building stamina. This program is sanctioned under USA Swimming.

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Mission Statement

Our mission at Biola Eagle Swim Team is to provide young swimmers a safe and encouraging environment that allows them to reach their fullest potential and be their BEST in and out of the pool.

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Coaching Staff

Nathan Harding

Nathan Harding
Club Director

Nathan Harding is the head swim and dive coach for Biola University. Nathan has over 10 years of experience in coaching swimming which spans experience in both high school and collegiate coaching.

Harding completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in sports performance at Louisiana Tech University in 2011. He earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in sports management from Grambling State University.

Ivanna Gomez

Ivanna Gomez
Lead Site Coach

Ivanna has experience coaching for various Southern California USA Swim Teams in the last four years.

Gomez is originally from New Jersey where she grew up swimming for the Jersey Gators and Cranford High School. Gomez has a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University.

 

Jackie Mudd

Jackie Mudd
Coach

Jackie is a senior at Biola University originally from Colorado. Jackie is studying kinesiology and exercise science. Jackie is pursuing a career in coaching and sport performance. Jackie is also a backstroker on the Biola Swim & Dive Team.

Noah Hall

Noah Hall
Coach

Noah is a sophomore at Biola University originally from Australia. Noah is studying cinema and media arts, with a focus in directing. Noah is also a distance swimmer on the Biola Swim & Dive Team.

 

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Practice Schedule

BEST Swim Practice Schedule 2023–24

Group Times Days
White 6–6:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Red 6–7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Bronze 6:45–7:45 p.m. Monday–Thursday
Silver 6:45–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday
Gold 6:45–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday

Note: All swimmers must be assessed by a coach to begin swimming and be placed in the appropriate group.

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Pricing

BEST Group Pricing 2023–24

Developmental Groups

  • White: $80 per month
  • Red: $80 per month

 

Performance Groups

  • Bronze: $105 per month
  • Silver: $105 per month
  • Gold: $105 per month

 

Note: All swimmers must also pay the USA Swimming Registration fee to be on the team.

Register for USA Swimming Membership

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Group Training and Curriculum

White Group

Purpose
  • The white group provides swimmers with an intro to all four strokes and primarily emphasizes freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers will be introduced to aerobic development through various drills and kicking exercises, all while learning to LOVE the sport. This is our non-competitive group with the goal of perfecting all 4 strokes to meet competition level.
Schedule
  • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6–6:45 p.m.
Goals
  • Swimmers work to develop all four legal strokes.
  • Swimmers develop legal components of training and competing (dives, turns, finishes).
Expectations
  • To begin swimming in this group, swimmers must be able to do one full lap of freestyle with proper side breathing and one lap of backstroke.
  • Swimmers must be between approximately 6–11 years of age.

 

Red Group

Purpose
  • The red group follows the same structure as the white group, however it is catered to athletes 12 years and older. The red group runs for 15 minutes longer than the white group and introduces independence and self-management to swimmers. The only difference between the red and white group is the age. Both groups are our non-competitive groups with the goal of perfecting all four strokes to meet competition level.
Schedule
  • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6–7 p.m.
Goals
  • Swimmers work to develop all four legal strokes.
  • Swimmers develop legal components of training and competing (dives, turns, finishes).
Expectations
  • To begin swimming in this group, swimmers must be able to do one full lap of freestyle with proper side breathing and one lap of backstroke.
  • Swimmers must be between 12 years of age or older.

 

Bronze Group

Purpose
  • The bronze group goal is to equip all swimmers with a solid foundation in all four strokes while continuing to build athleticism. The team helps swimmers build endurance and provides an introduction to competition.
Schedule
  • Monday–Thursday from 6:45–7:45 p.m.
Goals
  • Swimmers perfect their technique in all four strokes and have a solid foundation of the legal components necessary for competing (dives, turns, finishes).
  • Swimmers will learn how to track best times, set and achieve goals, and the fundamentals of training with purpose.
  • Swimmers will aim to compete in their first swim meet.
Expectations
  • Swimmer must be able to do one lap without stopping each stroke legally and must be able to do a 100 freestyle without stopping.
  • Swimmers must be between approximately 7–12 years of age.

 

Silver Group

Purpose
  • The silver group uses stroke foundations to refine their technique while building core body strength. Dryland training is also introduced at this level. The silver group focuses on training and speed development through increased yardage.
Schedule
  • Monday–Thursday from 6:45–8 p.m.
Goals
  • Swimmers begin to perfect and really hone in on the technique of all four strokes.
  • Swimmers refine and demonstrate high-level of competence in fundamental components of training and competing.
  • Swimmers will aim to compete regularly (every 2-3 months) in a variety of strokes and distances.
Expectations
  • Swimmer must be able to swim 4 x 100 freestyle with flip turns on each wall on 1:25 or less and be able to complete a 200 IM.
  • Swimmers must be between approximately 9–13 years of age.

 

Gold Group

Purpose
  • The gold group focuses on efficiency, technical precision and increased strength through dryland. Yardage is increased from the silver group, aerobic fitness is further emphasized and swimmers are prepared to compete in a wide variety of events.
Schedule
  • Monday–Thursday from 6:30–8 p.m.
Goals
  • Swimmers develop mental, emotional, and physical maturity to train and compete in competitions.
  • Swimmers are able to track their own best times and engage with coaches to better understand how to improve their time and achieve goals.
  • Swimmers will aim to compete regularly (every 1-2 months) in a variety of strokes and distances.
Expectations
  • Swimmer must be able to swim 6 x 100 on 1:20 holding under 1:15 and be able to complete a 200 IM and 500 free.
  • Swimmers must be between approximately 13–18 years of age.

 

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Behavior Compliance Policy

The aquatics staff at Biola University aims to foster a fun and safe environment devoted to friendly competition among our swimmers on the Biola Eagle Swim Team. Although we want our swimmers to have fun, it is important that all team members come to practice ready to listen and learn. We expect our swimmers to treat their fellow teammates and coaches with the utmost respect. Disrespectful and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may be met with disciplinary action at the coaches’ discretion. If such behavior continues, swimmers and their parents may be required to meet with the Aquatics Director, Nathan Harding, to discuss readiness to resume practice.

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Meet Entry Information

It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure they have entered their swimmer(s) to compete at a meet. Once the entry deadline passes, no late entries are permitted. It is important that your swimmer is in communication with their coach to understand what events they should be swimming at meets. If the swimmer is unsure, parents can reach out to the coaches to better understand. Ultimately, the coaches will ensure swimmers are registered in the correct age group and events they are qualified and prepared to swim.

Swim meet fees are due upon entry and are non-refundable after the meet entries have been submitted. If a swimmer is entered in a meet and cannot attend, you must notify your group coach prior to the scheduled warm up via email to avoid a ‘no show’ fee. Failure to do so results in a $25 fee.

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Parent Volunteer Expectations

In order to make swim meets successful, this requires parent volunteers to aid in certain tasks such as: timing, marshaling, runners, ribbon writing, etc. When signing your child up for a meet, volunteer expectations will be communicated beforehand.

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Contact Us

The Aquatics Office is located at the Lansing Aquatic Center. The Lansing Aquatic Center is the home of Biola's Men and Women's Swimming and Diving teams. Located just south of Chase Gymnasium, the swim facility features seven lanes and 1m and 3m diving boards. Since 2017, the pool has undergone several renovations to improve the facility — from a brand new scoreboard, to new lane lines, flags, banners and starting blocks.

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