Maliya Walp '26 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Maliya Walp, and I am entering my senior year at Catasauqua High School.

I’ve been a competitive swimmer since the age of five, and over the years, I’ve grown into a hard-working, dedicated athlete who thrives on competition and strives to improve with every swim. I consider myself a well-rounded swimmer, confident in all four strokes, and I am deeply committed to continuing my competitive swimming career at the collegiate level.

My high school years have marked a significant change in my swimming journey. Since my high school does not have its own swim team, I have always competed exclusively with my club team. However, thanks to the support of the PIAA, my high school, and my club coaches, I had the unique opportunity to swim as the first-ever independent swimmer representing Catasauqua High School. I am able to compete in varsity meets alongside the Northampton High School swim team, even though I was not part of their official roster.

Adjusting to this new role came with challenges, competing alone in nearly every event without teammates in the lanes next to me was mentally tough. I was not eligible to participate in relay events, but I embraced the opportunity and pushed myself harder than ever. The support I received from the Northampton team and coaches was incredibly motivating and helped me through the season.

One of the proudest moments of my high school seasons so far was during this past 2024/2025 varsity season, when I achieved personal bests in both the 200 IM and 100 Back at Districts. I was especially proud to earn a medal and place 3rd in the 100 Back.  These accomplishments were especially meaningful because I reached them as an independent swimmer, relying solely on my own determination and focus. I’ve qualified for Districts in all three of my high school seasons. Since my school is classified as AA and Northampton is a AAA school, I had to compete in a separate District meet session. Despite that, I was fortunate to have the continued support of my coach, who is also my swim club coach, as well as the Northampton swim coaches, who accompanied and encouraged me throughout the event. I also had the chance to connect with other independent swimmers and was inspired by hearing about their experiences.

As I head into my last high school season as an independent swimmer, I’m excited to continue this journey. I hope that by representing Catasauqua High School in the pool, I can inspire other students to get involved and help build interest in forming a future swim team at our school.

In addition to swimming for my high school, I train and compete year-round with my club team in USA Swimming meets, staying focused on continuous improvement and high-level performance. I'm also a multi-sport athlete, participating in volleyball, cheerleading and track at Catasauqua High School. Outside of competition, I work as a certified lifeguard and teach swim lessons, allowing me to share my passion for the sport while developing leadership and communication skills. Academically, I split my school day between Catasauqua High School and a technical school, where I study cosmetology. I also take online college courses, successfully balancing and staying committed to both my athletic and academic goals. In my spare time, I enjoy camping and spending time with family and friends, which helps me stay grounded and balanced with my busy schedule.