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BELTON, Texas (KWTX) - The Mary Hardin-Baylor Acrobatics and Tumbling team recently added former Baylor A&T standout Riley Chimwala to its staff as an assistant coach.

The position offers a unique opportunity for Chimwala as she will be coaching alongside her former Baylor teammate Rafaella Scotto, the Crusaders head coach.

“The thought of working with someone who knew me who I had a relationship and a friendship with first made me feel more comfortable about coaching,” Chimwala said.

Chimwala and Scotto became close friends during the two years they overlapped with each other at Baylor. Scotto says the pair will be able to channel aspects of their friendship into their coaching style.

“We love to have fun,” Scotto said. “When it’s time to get serious, we’ll flip the switch.”

UMHB A&T has amassed a 19-3 record since Scotto became head coach, and the Cru are confident that Chimwala will continue to take the program to new heights.

“She already knows what I expect the culture to be on this team,” Scotto said. “We keep pushing the limit and keep pushing the bar and I’m just so excited to see where she’s about to help take this program next year.”

Chimwala joins the UMHB staff after closing out her tenure at Baylor in the spring of 2024. A well decorated athlete, Chimwala was a four-time NCATA National Champion, four-time NCATA All-America selection, and was named the NCATA DI Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year for the 2024 season.