By Charlotte Wells on SwimSwam
Eliza Taylor, a versatile swimmer who has qualified for a number of high level championships, is heading to California Baptist University this fall, where she will compete for the Lancers beginning this 2024-2025 season.
“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at California Baptist University! I am beyond thankful to my family, coaches, and friends for their endless support! All the glory to God! LANCE UP!!” Taylor shared.
The southern California native trains year round with the Mission Viejo Nadadores, where she has put together a diverse roster of events including freestyle, breaststroke and IM. In her time at the club, Taylor has qualified for and raced at a number of high level competitions, including Futures, Sectionals and Junior Nationals.
The Nadadores have a long history of excellence in the pool, having sent athletes, current or former, to every Olympic Games since 1976. The Nadadores’ Olympian alumni include the likes of Dara Torres, Annie Lazor, Tom Shields and Zach Apple, who collectively had similar stroke specialities to Taylor.
Taylor attended Trabuco Hills High School, where she holds the school records in the 200 IM (2:04.84), 50 free (23.67), 100 free (52.16) and 100 breast (1:05.64).
Back in December, Taylor competed at the CA/NV Speedo Sectionals, placing as high as 13th in the 100 fly with a personal best time of 56.61. More recently, she raced at the CIF-SS Division 2 Championships with Trabuco Hills; Taylor’s performances saw her finish 3rd in the 200 IM in a time of 2:05.04 before going on to claim the runner-up spot in the 100 free in a best time of 50.87.
Best Times SCY:
- 50 free – 23.67
- 100 free – 50.87
- 500 free – 4:59.58
- 200 IM – 2:04.37
- 400 IM – 4:29.57
- 100 breast – 1:04.86
A Division I Mid-Major school, California Baptist competes in the Western Athletic Conference. The women’s team placed 5th out of 11 teams at the WAC Championships this past season, bringing home two individual titles. Taylor’s times would have landed her in the ‘A’ final in the 100 free and the ‘B’ final in the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free and 400 IM, giving her no shortage of options for her championship meet lineup.
Taylor will be joined in the class of 2028 Lancers by Isabella Aiello, a freestyler and butterflyer from Nevada.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Futures Qualifier Eliza Taylor Set to Compete for California Baptist This Fall (2024)