Shiner
Shiner ISD

Anaya Robinson to attend St. Thomas University in Florida to compete in swimming

Ultimate goal is to make Olympic team

  • Lady Comanche swimmer Anaya Robinson will attend school in the Miami, Florda-area at St. Thomas University. Seated From left is Isis Robinson, Anaya Robinson and Cryah Robinson. Standing is Peter Robinson. Photo by Mark Lube.
    Lady Comanche swimmer Anaya Robinson will attend school in the Miami, Florda-area at St. Thomas University. Seated From left is Isis Robinson, Anaya Robinson and Cryah Robinson. Standing is Peter Robinson. Photo by Mark Lube.

    BY MARK LUBE/SPORTS EDITOR

    SHINERSPORTS@SBCGLOBAL.NET

     

    Shiner senior Anaya Robinson’s ultimate goal of  competing at the Olympics is not hindered by Shiner not fielding a UIL swim team.
    She signed a letter of intent to compete on the swim team of St. Thomas University in Opa-locka North, Miami Gardens, Florida,
    Robinson started swimming when she was 8 and began swimming for a club (USA Club) at 12.
    She has been a member of three different club teams during her years of competitive swimming.
    “When I lived in Houston, I was on two different teams. Now, I train in Victoria,” Robinson said.
    Her old high school in the Houston area did offer swimming and Robinson was able to compete in UIL-sanction meets.
    Robinson will compete in six total events in collegiate swimming — 100-meter Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breastroke, 200 Individual Medley, 400 Individual Medley and the 50 Freestyle.
    “I will compete in a mixture of events,” she said.
    Robinson said she has always wanted to compete in collegiate swimming but was unsure of which schools she was interested in applying to.
    “Near the end of my swimming season, I reached out to St. Thomas’s coach, Caesar Asadi, to see what kind of opportunities were available to me and he said he was interested in me swimming for their team,” she said. “We conversed and I ended up taking a trip to visit. He offered me a good scholarship. I liked the team, the atmosphere and Coach Asadi.”
    Robinson said her goals for her freshman year on the team is to be a great teammate and to improve her times.
    “I want to make Nationals and then eventually to Worlds. And then hopefully on to Olympic trials one day,” she said.
    St. Thomas University Bobcats compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and in the Sun Conference (TSC).
    The women’s swimming and diving program is new, having only been in existence since 2020.
    Distance from family and friends will be one thing Robinson will get acclimated to  in attending college in another part of the country.
    “I am going to be nervous but I am excited for the future and cannot wait to see what happens,” she said.
    She plans on majoring in Biology and plans on seeking a career in marine biology
    Robinson will miss the warmth and closeness of the community.
    “I will all of my friends and the support of the community. Everyone is so nice here,” Robinson said. “I just have felt so blessed to have come to Shiner.”