Bright past, brighter future for senior Stramandi's diving career

Hitting the water at speeds of 30 miles per hour from 32 feet above the pool, senior Danielle Stramandi seems to have no problem with hitting things quickly and intensely.

Her diving career at Princeton has been, to say the least, one of record-setting magnitudes, and it has been a career that has taken her as far as Beijing this past summer as one of two divers from the United States to compete at the World University Games.

Stramandi began diving after training as an elite gymnast. At the age of twelve, she had the option of training with Bela Karolyi and decided instead to stay at home. Upon the recommendation of her gymnastics coach, Stramandi began diving.

Her gymnastics career not only seemed to help the physical aspect of diving, but her focus coming from such a background is evident.

Growing up in Lawrenceville, Stramandi was coached at Princeton, so she is no stranger to DeNunzio Pool. Once the decision for college was at stake, Stramandi chose Princeton despite six full scholarship offers.

"I had always known I had wanted to come here," Stramandi said. "I guess the athletic part has been more difficult, but it's been more meaningful [than if I had chosen to go to a big state school]."

As the only non-scholarship athlete chosen to compete at Nationals this year, Stramandi is used to sacrifice.

Before coming to Princeton, she took a year off to learn platform diving in Houston while taking classes there as well. Here at Princeton, she usually wakes up by five in the morning, training alone in the pool and readying herself for whatever competition lies ahead.

Prior to this year, Stramandi had already set a number of records. She set the one-meter record for springboard and then continued to qualify for NCAA's, only to later break another record in the 10 meter platform. She went on to make honorable All-American at NCAA's as well. Her junior year, after a summer training at Auburn, Stramandi hit a winning streak.

"My junior year, I think my diving really came together," she said. "Consistency is really important so that you hit the dives all the time."

That same year, she got the bronze at NCAA's, which was the highest placing in 25 years for the Princeton swim team, and placed the Tigers among the top 25 teams in the nation. One week later, in Texas again and training with the U.S. National team, she placed fourth. She was then chosen from that pool of 12 divers to go on to compete at the World University Games.

The Games were held in Beijing, China. Stramandi was one of only six athletes to compete for the United States in the international competition. Stramandi's 258.93 points placed her in the 12th position. She finished 103.08 points behind Rui Wang of China who won the platform competition with an impressive 362.01 score. Stramandi, who was consistent in the final round, scored low marks on her final dive that had a 2.9 degree of difficulty. A slim 20.19 point kept Stramandi from a top-8 finish.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

"I think that Worlds was the most amazing experience of my diving career. To be at the opening ceremonies, representing the US was such an incredible thing," she said.

Stramandi has since been offered the chance to train in the Woodlands, near Houston, TX with a full scholarship.

"I think there are a lot of doors," Stramandi said. "I have the opportunity now to train with the best in the world. The best feeling was being on that podium this summer and representing Princeton."

Given her background, Stramandi does, in fact, have a lot of options to face. As a pre-med and Spanish concentrator, she also plans on going on to medical school.

Stramandi speaks about Princeton with a refreshing enthusiasm, especially for an athlete who seems to offer so much herself.

"My experience here has been great. The swim team has been so supportive and everyone [on this campus] has something special about them," Stramandi said.

Stramandi hopes now to make it to the World Cup. Given her track record, it's a possibility that doesn't seem so far out of reach.