Aliya Rassiane: Riding the Wave of Success into Season Two as Gateway’s Star Swimmer

By: Michael Love


Sunday, January 12, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Aliya Rassiane achieved numerous commendable outcomes during her inaugural varsity season with the Gateway swim team.

The sprint freestyle and butterfly expert had a standout freshman campaign that culminated in WPIAL Class 2A medals for the 50-yard freestyle (fifth), the 100 butterfly (fifth), and the 400 free relay (fourth), before finishing 11th in the 100 fly at the PIAA championships.

“WPIALs and the PIAA meet were quite exciting,” noted Rassiane, now in her sophomore year.

“I greatly enjoyed the time spent with my teammates. Being on the podium (at WPIALs) as often as I was presented an incredible experience. I gained more confidence in myself as time progressed. All of it fueled my determination to work hard and return this season to improve my times.”

Refusing to rest on her accomplishments, Rassiane is capitalizing on an offseason filled with training with her Monroeville Marlins club team, along with multiple miles of practice laps and competitions since this season began in late November.

“I have significant aspirations for WPIALs and states,” she expressed.

“I feel slightly more prepared now compared to last year at this time. My current times exceed those from the same period last year, which is encouraging to recognize that I am advancing. Last year truly demonstrated the effort necessary to achieve my goals.”

Rassiane performed well in a high school meet on December 21 at the Spire Institute in Ohio. Competing against many notable swimmers from the WPIAL, she secured fourth place in both the 50 free and 100 fly.

“That meet was quite favorable for me,” Rassiane shared.

“My times during that competition weren’t as swift as those at the conclusion of last season, but they were acceptable given my status at that moment. I am confident they will continue to improve.”

Rassiane has secured her spot at WPIALs with qualifying times for the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly. She achieved the 50 and 100 fly cuts during the season-opening meet against Norwin, while the 100 free qualification occurred during her leadoff swim in the 400 free relay at Spire.

Currently, she intends to focus on the 50 free and 100 fly for the WPIAL championships at Pitt’s Trees Pool.

Additionally, Rassiane contributed to the 200 medley and 400 free relays—with senior Jolina Estremera, junior Gianna Laurenti, and freshman Elle Kaminski—gaining WPIAL qualifying cuts.

With the Gateway girls transitioning to Class 3A, Rassiane expressed enthusiasm towards engaging with an entirely new group of rivals.

This includes Mt. Lebanon senior freestyle sprinter Sylvia Roy, who has been the WPIAL 50 free champion for the past three seasons.

“Sylvia is incredibly fast,” Rassiane remarked. “I faced her at the meet in Ohio.”

A new WPIAL Class 3A girls champion will emerge in the 100 fly, as last year’s champion, Natalie Sens, has moved on due to graduation and is now a freshman on the women’s team at George Washington.

Rassiane mentioned that both the boys and girls teams reaped the benefits of practices during the holiday break.

“Those sessions are certainly more demanding, but we also strive to keep them enjoyable,” Rassiane noted.

“We split the teams in two and held a scrimmage meet. We attempted to remain united through all the practices while concentrating on the upcoming section meets.”

Gateway commenced 2025 with a section sweep of Woodland Hills on January 3.

The Gators will host Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic at 6 p.m. this Thursday.

Raymer to swim at Denison

The Denison men’s swim team finished sixth at last year’s NCAA Division III national championships.

The Big Red continued its legacy of impressive performances on the grandest collegiate stage.

Gateway senior Hunter Raymer aims to contribute to Denison’s esteemed legacy as he joins the program in the upcoming year.

Raymer made his decision early last month. He expressed excitement about the contributions he will bring to an already talented lineup.

“It was a difficult choice considering the other schools I was interested in, but Denison ultimately felt like the right fit for me,” Raymer explained.

“Academically, it will prove to be a challenge, which I appreciate. Athletically, the team competes for NCAAs each year. I really enjoyed my recruiting visit. The facilities are fantastic. Denison is a place where I can excel both on the athletic front and academically.”

Raymer stated he is on course to meet his goals and expectations for his concluding varsity season.

He completed the individual qualifying sweep by achieving the necessary times in both the 50 free and 100 breaststroke. He has amassed qualifying times in every individual event throughout all four of his varsity seasons.

“That’s really exciting to accomplish,” Raymer said. “I take great pride in that.”

The distance specialist, who aspires to reclaim the top of the medals podium in the 500 after previously winning it as a freshman, is contemplating whether to compete in the 200 free or 200 individual medley at WPIALs.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Gateway