Courtesy: Westmont Athletics
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Rachel Peden of Grayson, Georgia has signed for the Westmont women’s swimming team, head coach Jill Jones Lin announced.
“I am thrilled that Rachel will be joining the class of 2024,” Jones Lin said. “Rachel is going to help us tremendously in the sprint events and relays, not to mention her sweet spirit and determination. I can’t wait to start working with her and the rest of the team.”
Peden was a four-year varsity swimmer at Grayson High School, where she qualified for the county and state championships all four years in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 back. Additionally, she received the High Point Swimmer Award as a junior and senior, before also being honored with the Outstanding Senior Award.
“I am most looking forward to being a part of a Christ-centered team with teammates who encourage one another to meet and exceed both individual and team goals,” Peden said. “I look forward to being trained and mentored by Coach Jill, who not only wants us to become stronger athletes, but also cares about our overall well-being.”
Peden also swam for the Gwinnett Aquatics Swim Club, qualifying for the state championships in the 50 free, 50 back and 100 back.
“When I visited Westmont last fall, I loved the beauty of the campus located up on the mountainside, with the beach just a few miles away too,” Peden said. “The campus atmosphere felt so peaceful and the positive enthusiasm at chapel really inspired me to want to become a part of the whole Westmont community.”
Peden said her best events are the 50 back, 50 free, 100 free and 100 back.
Peden’s Personal Best Times (SCY)
- 50 free: 24.95
- 100 free: 56.46
- 50 back: 27.67
- 100 back: 1:00.99
In its first year as a program, Westmont women’s swimming placed 10th at the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championships, and first among five NAIA schools, before finishing tied for 22nd at the NAIA National Championships.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to compete at the collegiate level of swimming as a Westmont Warrior,” Peden said. “I really look forward to building new friendships, training hard for the team and supporting one another both in and out of the pool. More than anything, I’m excited about what God has planned for our team this upcoming year.”
Peden is the fifth incoming freshman to sign for Westmont ahead of its second season as a program. She joins Bridget Hoth, Emma Washam, Morgan Shattuck and Cayla Won as future Warriors.