Head Swim Coach Brooks Teal has announced that Sebastian Riano of Bogota, Columbia and Aliah Maginley of Antigua have signed to swim for St. Andrews University.
Riano competes in the Breaststroke and Freestyle events and brings an impressive resume to the Knights. Sebastian was the High School State Champion , representing the Colegio Anglo Americano School at the 2013 State High School Championships in the 200 meter Breaststroke. He placed second in the 50 and 100 meter Breast events, and helped his school relays to a victory in the 400 meter Medley Relay and a 3rd place finish in the 200 meter Medley Relay. At the 2013 Columbian National Age Group Championships, Riano won the 200 meter Breast in his age group (16 year olds). Sebastian contributed to three medal winning relays at the National Championships, 2nd place in the 200 meter Free Relay, and 3rd place finishes in both the 200 and 400 meter Medley Relays.
Maginley, from the Antigua Aquatic Club's Storm Swim Team, competes in Freestyle and Breaststroke events as well as Open Water (Long Distance) competitions. Aliah has served as Team Captain for the Storm from 2010 through 2014. She has international experience, qualifying for and competing in the 2013 FINA Junior World Championships in Dubai, and the 2014 Pan American Olympic Festival in Mexico. As a member of the Antigua and Barbuda National Teams, Maginley has swum in the OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) Championships for the past four years, was National Team Captain twice, in 2012 and 2013, and competed in the 5K Open Water Event in the CARIFTA Games.
"Aliah is an exciting addition to our women's team," said Teal. "She has a strong background of competitive experience, and will be a great asset to the team in all the Freestyle events, from sprints to distance. She will add to our already strong group of breaststrokers. I am positive that Aliah will be a great fit for our team family and make an immediate positive contribution to the Knights swimming program."
"Sebastian will be a great addition to our team and program," said Teal. "He is relatively new to the sport, has progressed very quickly and I am sure he will continue to improve. Based on his converted times, he can be a scorer at NAIA Nationals immediately in the 400 Individual Medley, and his Breaststroke times are very close to Top 16 at NAIAs. When a swimmer is strong in the 400 IM, they usually have the ability to help a team in many events, and we look forward to the impact Sebastian will have."
