Marivi Escalona Named Senior National Team Assistant Coach #2

USA Artistic Swimming is proud to announce Senior National Team Assistant Coach number two as Marivi Escalona. 

Chief of Sport, Lara Teixera, shares her excitement about having the hardworking coach on board, “We proudly welcome Marivi to our team! A young and talented coach, Marivi has proven herself as a dedicated student of the sport. Her exceptional contributions to our development camps, age group national team, club and collegiate programs have showcased her remarkable skills and passion for the sport. She is truly a hidden gem, ready to go above and beyond for the continued success of our SNT and educational programs. I couldn’t be more excited to see the impact she will make.” 

The current Senior National Team Staff recognizes Escalona's deep passion and profound understanding of the sport, qualities they believe will bring a unique and valuable dynamic to the coaching team. Her impressive resume & experience are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Team USA’s development as they prepare for the years to come. 

Marivi Escalona, a former member of the Venezuelan National Team from 2009 to 2014, has had a remarkable career in synchronized swimming. During her time representing Venezuela, she competed in the PanAmerican Championships, where she won a silver medal in duet and a gold medal in the team event. Additionally, she participated in the South American and Central American Games, securing three bronze medals in the tech and free team events, as well as in combo. 

In 2015, Marivi moved to the United States to join Lindenwood University's synchronized swimming team, competing from 2016 to 2019. During her collegiate career, she won multiple US National Championships in 2016, 2017, and 2018. After graduating, she began coaching at Scottsdale Synchro Arizona from 2019 to 2021, before accepting a head coaching position with the Houston Synchro Stars, where she led the team from 2021 to 2023. Under her leadership, the team achieved their best national rankings, and she played a pivotal role in helping the second Houston Synchro Stars athlete in club history secure a spot on the Youth National Team. 

Following her time in Houston, Marivi served as an assistant head coach for the Pirouettes of Texas, working alongside Soohee Shim, a former USAAS consultant. Under her guidance, the Pirouettes medaled in three team events at the US National Championship and enjoyed a successful Junior Olympics season, earning 12 medals in the Junior and Senior Age groups. 

Marivi's international coaching experience includes the 2022 US Open in Charlotte, where her athletes placed 1st and 2nd in Youth Figures, 2nd in Youth Solo, and 3rd in Youth Duet. She also coached at the 2023 Pan American Qualifiers (PAQ) in Florida, where her athletes took 1st place in Youth Male Solo, and at the 2024 PAQ in Lima, where they earned 2nd place in Youth Male Solo and Junior Mixed Duet. 

In the summer of 2024, Marivi served as an assistant coach for the Youth National Team. She is also the National Technical Controller for USAAS and has been actively involved with USAAS camps across the country for several years. Most notably, she was responsible for developing the curriculum for the 2024 Rising Stars Camp. 

Next, the young coach can now add training with USAA’s most talented athletes to her resume. Escalona shares how she looks forward to working for the organization, "I am truly honored to embrace this opportunity, which I will approach with unwavering responsibility, dedication and determination. I am thrilled to embark on this journey with not only some of the best coaches and athletes in the world but a very special, determined and inspiring group of people. I believe I am joining the hardest-working coaching staff out there, and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it. We will continue to embrace the legacy and foundation laid by Andrea but there is a fire inside all of us to build upon it and show the world the depth of the United States in the sport. Every experience I have had both in my home country and in the US has prepared me for this opportunity and I am eager to join this staff and get to work as we start this new quad. I am extremely passionate about advancing coaches and athletes' education, and I recognize the areas we can grow on as an organization. I am confident that under Lara's guidance we will do great things to continue to educate our membership at all levels. I am fully committed to this staff, this team, and this organization and I wholeheartedly believe in the bright and successful future Team USA has ahead.” 

Another member looking forward to having Escalona apart of the team is newly hired Head Coach, Tammy McGregor. “Marivi is truly a standout. Her deep understanding of the sport shines through her expertise in acrobatics and coding. What stands out most is her unwavering commitment to growth; she actively seeks out challenges and consistently strives to enhance her skills. She is a true student of the sport. Having worked with her in technical controlling, I've had the privilege of witnessing her remarkable progress over the years. The hard work and commitment she dedicates to the sport is evident, and I can't wait to see how her skills and perspective will contribute to the team's success."