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MaKayla Ciancanelli

  • position Freestyle
  • class Senior
  • Hometown Raleigh, NC
  • High school North Raleigh Christian Academy
  • position Freestyle
  • class Senior
  • Hometown Raleigh, NC
  • High school North Raleigh Christian Academy

MaKayla Ciancanelli Bio

AWARDS/HONORS

  • 2x SEC Academic Honor Roll (2023, 2024)

2024-25 (JUNIOR)

  • Swam in four freestyle events 
  • Finished in the top three in two events at the Duke dual meet, taking second in the 500 free (4:52.08) and third in the 200 free (1:48.77)
  • Earned a first-place finish at the Cavalier Invite in the 500 free after clocking a season best 4:50.08 
  • Clocked a best time of 16:57.85 in the 1650 free at the Cavalier Invite
  • Held the fourth fastest time on the team this season in the 200 free (1:47.38), earned at the first tri-meet against Georgia and Vanderbilt

2023-24 (SOPHOMORE)

  • Competed in freestyle distances 100-1650 during her first season in the water
  • Claimed her first career event win in the 500 free at Georgia Tech
  • Placed second in the 200 free during South Carolina’s tri-meet against Duke and UNC-Asheville
  • Represented the program at the Cavalier Invitational, finishing seventh in the 100 free, fourth in the 200 free, and fourth in the 500 free

2022-23 (FRESHMAN)

  • Did not compete due to injury

PRE-COLLEGE

  • Swam for North Raleigh Christian Academy for six years where she was a five-time MVP, six-time TISAC Champions, and six-time NCISAA State Champion
  • Swam club for Marlins of Raleigh under coach Michael Laubacher
  • Placed ninth at the 7.5k USA Swimming Open Water Junior Nationals in 2021
  • 5k Southern Zone Open Water Champion in 2021
  • 2021 Huntsville USA Swimming Futures Finalist

PERSONAL

  • Exercise Science major
  • Daughter of Leigh and Brett, sister to Isabella
  • Hobbies include singing and photography
  • Favorite foods are potatoes, rice, pasta, cheese, and chips and salsa
  • Hopes to become a physical therapist working with athletes or special needs individuals