South African teenager Andrea de Waal is one of three students who will join the Marian University Cycling Team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, next semester.
The 18-year-old from Port Elizabeth will bring a track-racing background to the Knights on Bikes, but has also raced in the mountain bike discipline.
De Waal represented her country at the Junior Track World Championships this past season and has won five titles at the African Continental Track Championships.
She is also an eight-time Junior National Champion on the track.
Andrea de Waal will join the Marian University Cycling Team in Indianapolis, Indiana, next semester. Photo: Boogs Photography
“I’m obviously very excited and am looking forward to the opportunity not only to become part of a great American team but also to make friends from all over the world,” said De Waal.
Explaining how she was selected, De Waal said on advice from her coach she applied to two different universities.
“After the Junior World Track champs we received offers from both. Part of the requirements were submitting my times from Junior World Track champs.
“My performances at both African Continentals and Nationals also played a big part. My first choice was Marian University,” said De Waal, who will spend the next four years in the state of Indianapolis.
She added that she had been selected as one of the team’s sprinters, so she would focus on the 500m time-trial, 200m match sprint and any other events that might suit her abilities.
“I feel I’m only riding at 50% of my real potential, so with the high level of coaching available there I can become a better sprinter.
“I obviously would like to learn the skills and tactics associated with high-performance track riding and American cycling is currently leading the way internationally.”
De Waal added that there were two main goals she would like to achieve.
“Firstly, I would like to give Marian University some podium positions in the sprint events. Secondly, I would like to expand my abilities to other cycling disciplines.”
She felt that being so far from her family was going to be her biggest challenge.
“The second will be learning a foreign language, which is compulsory for all first-year students during their first semester.
“I am however most looking forward to the experience of being part of a big team.”
De Waal felt this opportunity would give her access to some of the world’s top coaches, which would help her reach her true potential.
“In doing so I could become one of SA’s top cyclists, which will enable me to achieve my dream of going to the Olympics.”
The other two students chosen are Fergus Washington-Smith from Hamilton, New Zealand, and Valentina Scandolara from Verona, Italy.
The team will close out their season at USA Cycling’s Collegiate Cyclocross National Championships in mid-December in Lakewood, Washington, and return to action next year with BMX and road racing.
