FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Junior Hayley Edmond has made quite an impression already during her first season with the Northern Arizona swimming & diving team. Now, this summer she will take the Lumberjack name as well as carry the pride of her home country to the Oceania Championships.

On Thursday, Edmond was one of 35 athletes named by Swimming New Zealand as their country's representatives to the 10th Oceania Swimming Championships to be held from June 21-24 in Suva, Fiji.

"We're super proud of Hayley for making this team and representing New Zealand at the Oceania Games," said head coach Andy Johns. "We've had some strong swimmers from New Zealand over the years. We're happy for her and we hope to continue watching her succeed and improve."

The Oceania Championships are held every two years and is organized by the Oceania Swimming Association. Up to 18 nations are expected to compete at this year's competition to be held at the Damodar National Aquatic Centre in Suva. New Zealand and Australia are expected to be the biggest contenders. Other member federations of the Oceania Swimming Association include American Samoa, Fiji, Guam and Tahiti.

Edmond earned her way on to the squad after placing third in the 50 freestyle during the New Zealand Open Swimming Championships on March 30. With her time of 26.36, Edmond put herself in a position for a qualifying spot. Still, Edmond was on the outside looking in needing to be in the top two for an automatic qualifier until one of the top two pulled out.

For Edmond – out of Albany, Auckland – this will mark her second consecutive Oceania Championships after competing with New Zealand in the last installment in 2014. New Zealand captured a championship-high 21 gold medals two years ago.

"I'm really excited to put the 'Silver Fern' back on and represent New Zealand; it's always an honor," Edmond said. "I had a good build-up this season and a good team here (at NAU). When I went home, it all worked out and I managed to qualify."

In her first season at NAU this year, Edmond collected five All-WAC honors at the 2016 WAC Championships. She placed fifth in the 50 and 100 freestyle and sixth in the 100 backstroke, while also swimming on the 200 and 800 free relay teams. Edmond and the 200 free relay squad set a new school record on their way to winning gold. She also moved into the top five in the school record books in the 100 free and 100 back. During the dual meet season, Edmond notched nine individual victories and was a part of seven relay wins.

"It's always an adjustment when you come up to altitude and Hayley had to not only come up to altitude, but to a new university and a new country," said assistant coach Laura Thomas. "She's only going to get better and better."

Edmond and the Swimming New Zealand team are slated to leave for Fiji on June 17 prior to the start of the championships.