Boston Globe Noteworthy Performances On Dorian McMenemy
Telegram.Com Feature Article On Dorian McMenemy
Orlando, FL – Wagner College junior swimmer
Dorian McMenemy (Northborough, MA / Algonquin Regional) is this year's recipient of the Bay State Games National Athlete of the Year Award for the Female Age 19 & Older Category and was presented with the award at Universal Studios Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday.
The Bay State Games established the Athlete of the Year Program to recognize program participants who have experienced success in athletics, academics, community involvement, sportsmanship and with facing adversity that affects their lives. The National Congress of State Games is the governing body for 35 states and over 300,000 athletes that compete annually in state games programs.
McMenemy is a two-time Olympian for the Dominican Republic, where she holds multiple national records, and is competing in her third year on Grymes Hill after a decorated high school career in Massachusetts that included four state championships, a National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) All-America Academic Selection and two USA Swimming Scholastic All-American (2013-2015) selections.
"Dorian was a pretty special athlete coming out of high school and one of the most talented recruits in the New England area," said Wagner head swimming & diving coach
Colin Shannahan. "She was being recruited by programs that had produced recent U.S. Olympians like Louisville and Western Kentucky. So, she's was our top recruit, probably one of the best recruits the program has ever brought in."
Following her freshman season of 2015-16 when she helped the Seahawks to a new school and Northeast Conference (NEC) record in the 200 Medley Relay, as well as a school record in the 400 Free Relay, McMenemy went on to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.
Shortly after arriving back in the U.S. and resuming her classes and training, McMenemy suffered a stroke during practice. After being unable to compete, and having to spend time in the hospital recovering from the horrific incident, the junior returned to Wagner for the second semester and resumed workouts and practices.
McMenemy returned to the Bay State Games in the Summer of 2017 just 10 months after suffering her stroke and won three swimming gold medals. As an inspiration to many, she was nominated by her younger sister Rachel, a junior at Algonquin Regional High School for the Athlete of the Year Award.
"This is a tremendous honor for Dorian and we here at Wagner could not be prouder of her accomplishments and what she has overcome," said Seahawk athletic director
Walt Hameline. "The way she has battled back from her stroke is inspiring and speaks to her work ethic and character. She certainly sets a fine example for all of our student-athletes."
"Dorian is just a great person from a great family," said Shannahan. "I just had a good feeling about her during the recruiting process and what she could do for in bringing our program to the next level. I know the girls on our team look up to her a lot and she really takes that motherly, mentorship type role with them. I know that Dorian holds a special place with all of them."
"What an incredible student-athlete and story of resilience!," added Associate Athletic Director & Senior Women's Administrator
Tatum Colitz, herself a former Seahawk swimmer. "We couldn't be more proud of Dorian!"
About the Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation
The Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in the 1982 to host the first sanctioned state games of the commonwealth. It operates with the mission of promoting personal development, education, physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship to Massachusetts citizens of all ages and abilities. The Foundation is recognized for hosting high quality, Olympic-style events through the Bay State Summer and Winter Games, as well as educational programs including the Future Leaders Scholarship Program, a Sportsmanship Initiative and the High School Ambassador Program.
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