Allison Stefanelli with her parents on Senior Night
Senior Reflections-Allison Stefanelli
6/11/2020 4:56:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
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By Callie Cyr Special to UNH Wildcats.com
Allison Stefanelli (Loudonville, N.Y.) is one of the most accomplished divers all-time in program history. The four-time America East champion and 2020 America East Diver of the Year earned these accolades through hard work and dedication, and the refusal to give up when injuries threatened to end her career.
UNH was already a special place for Stefanelli as her brother attended and graduated from the school in 2017. It has been a foundation for the two of them and that is something she will cherish forever.
Stefanelli made the most of her time at UNH setting new standards on the diving board for future Wildcats and achieving academic success which included being a member of the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Stefanelli reflects on her time as a Wildcat and looks to the future. Allison Stefanelli being presented the 2020 AE Diver of the Year trophy by Commissioner Amy Huchthausen OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Growing up, Stefanelli knew she wanted to be a college athlete. She was an outstanding gymnast for seven years, but after a back injury ended her hopes of being a collegiate gymnast, she turned to competitive diving. A blessing in disguise, she realized that her dream of being a college athlete was once again a reality. Stefanelli on a diving board at an early age. She would go on to be one of the most decorated divers all-time at UNH.
Being one of the strongest divers UNH had ever recruited, Stefanelli started her freshman season off strong. Unfortunately, she re-injured her back and had to miss the America East Championships.
After extensive visits to physical therapy and gradual practice, she was able to return to diving in the fall of her sophomore year. Her determination paid off as she went on to win the three-meter event at not only the 2018 America East Championships as a sophomore but also at the 2019 America East Championships as a junior. Stefanelli excelled in gymnastics before an injury
Just three weeks into her last season as a diver at UNH, Stefanelli had yet another setback when she re-injured her back again. Not accepting defeat, she worked at getting stronger through more physical therapy and being ready for when she returned to the board. At the 2020 America East Championships she won both the one-meter and three-meter events and was named the America East Diver of the Meet. The Wildcats dominated the meet winning the program's eighth America East championship.
"It was an incredible moment. I felt the most confident in myself as I ever have for a competition. Winning both events showed me how resilient I can be and how months of physical therapy and hard work can truly pay off. Having an amazing group of women to lean on when the going gets tough is so helpful. My teammates have so much trust in themselves and in each other that we are able to come together for the four days of competition to kick some butt!" Stefanelli was a member of two America East championship winning teams (2018 & 2020)
This year at the second annual UNH Senior Showcase, Stefanelli received the Coaches Award. This recognition is presented to a senior student-athlete that has either overcome adversity, or is an unsung hero, or is leader of the team, or someone that has gone above and beyond.
Not only is Stefanelli one of the most accomplished divers UNH has ever seen, but she is also a strong student. Besides all the success she has had on the diving board, she proves herself in the classroom as well.
"Being a gymnast and training 20 hours per week from the time I was in elementary school really set me up with good time management skills. Having self-discipline and prioritizing the important aspects of college help to leave room for friends and other events!" Stefanelli on Senior Night with Assistant Coach Mike Jolly, Head Coach Josh Willman and Diving Coach Cece Arrison DIVING INTO THE FUTURE Stefanelli diving on Senior Day
Similar to many people all over the world, Stefanelli has personally been impacted by the Covid-19 Global Pandemic. Specifically, for college seniors, it has been hard to find a job or keep a job that they were previously offered before the devastating coronavirus outbreak. Stefanelli accepted a job as an Outdoor Educator at a YMCA summer camp on the shores of Lake George, N.Y. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, she was furloughed.
Although, in true Stefanelli fashion, she did not let that stop her. She recently accepted a job as a Research Technician in the Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics department at Albany Medical Center.
"The lab I am working in looks at possible treatment options for epilepsy as well as neurological signals underlying Parkinson's disease at the cellular level." FOREVER A WILDCAT Stefanelli won four career America East gold medals
Being a student-athlete on the swimming and diving team comes with its excitement. Stefanelli reflected on some of her favorite memories she has with the team.
"Some of my favorite moments were when the coaches spontaneously stopped practice and had the divers put on a cap and goggles to swim 50 yards, and the swimmers would all take a jump off of the diving board. My favorite moments of being a student-athlete have to be during home dual meets where my family and friends always attended. One time my brother's roommate came to watch the meet in a speedo, so that was pretty memorable."
Aside from memories of being a student-athlete on the swimming and diving team, Stefanelli has memories of being a student at UNH as well that will stick with her as she moves onto the next chapter in her life.
"The biggest thing I will miss are the small things. I will miss the spontaneity of running into friends and making incredible memories. I will miss sitting and eating lunch on T-Hall lawn when the weather was nice and studying at the outdoor pool during finals!"
Stefanelli has one final message to her fellow seniors.
"As we look to the future, take the blessings and lessons learned from UNH and integrate them into our next adventures in life. We will always have a place to call home alongside our fellow Wildcats." Stefanelli with fellow seniors Anna Burns and Corinne Carbone after winning the 2020 AE championship. Please check back to UNHWildcats.com as we continue our Senior Reflections series.
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