Cousineau Named Wendy Wyland Award Recipient
INDIANAPOLIS – USA Diving announced University of Miami redshirt junior diver Cheyenne Cousineau the recipient of the 2013 Wendy Wyland Award Monday.
The award is presented annually in the memory of 1984 Olympic bronze medalist Wendy Wyland, and recognizes a diver who represents a love for the sport, is an extremely hard worker, an exceptional competitor, has courage in dealing with adversity, a rare determination and tenacity to come back from injury or illness, a “never quit” attitude, has respect for fellow competitors and performs beyond expectations.
“I’m extremely honored and blessed to receive this award,” Cousineau said. “To be thought of as demonstrating the qualities that the award entails by my peers and the leaders in USA Diving is an incredible feeling, and something that I’ll cherish forever.”
Cousineau developed a blood clot in her brain that caused a stroke and seizure during the summer before her freshman year at Ohio State University. A day after her 19th birthday, she was told she would never dive again.
Now 22, Cousineau has returned to diving and has established herself as one of the best in the country. After redshirting her first year with the Buckeyes, Cousineau overcame the odds to win the 2012 Big Ten Championship in the platform event, and earned All-America recognition at the 2013 NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships this past spring in Indianapolis.
She represented Team USA in synchronized 10-meter at the 2013 FINA World Championships, and won the national title on that event in August.
“After being told I would never dive again, and making the world team three years later, is just icing on the cake,” Cousineau said. “God gave me a second chance at life, and to be able to honor Him through my sport is all that I’m striving for. It means so much to know that I’m making a difference in the sport of diving.”
She decided to transfer to Miami and team up with head coach Randy Ableman for her final two seasons of collegiate eligibility this summer.
“To come back from that and do what she’s done, when they told her she would never dive again, I got a little misty when I heard her full story,” Ableman said. “She is an extremely hard worker, and it’s just great for our team to have someone like Cheyenne join us here.”
Despite her once bleak prognosis, Cousineau is now training for the 2016 Olympic games and a chance to compete for Team USA in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
“She brings so much positive energy. I’m very thankful that she chose Miami and really looking forward to her future,” Ableman said. “She’s a very hard worker, a super nice girl and was a major find for us to come to the University of Miami.”
To read the full list of award recipients from USA Diving, click HERE.
