Name: Danielle Nista (Mortensen)
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2009
Events: 500, 1000, and 1650
Degree: Elementary Education
Profession: Currently a stay at home mom, but taught elementary school for 10 years after graduating
Current residence: Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
-My favorite memory is from my freshman year when both the Men and Womens team won the CAA championships. I was just a freshman and everything was so new but it was an amazing end to a great first year.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
-Being a part of this program impacted my life in many ways. My whole family now calls Wilmington home. The dedication and commitment needed to compete at a collegiate level has also set me up for success in my career and now raising a family. I also made lifelong friends from being a part of this team. It was an amazing experience all around.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
-I taught 2nd and 4th grade here in Wilmington for 10 years after college. I met my husband who also attended UNCW here and now we continue to call Wilmington home while raising our 3 little boys.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
-Park Ave of course, Flaming Amys, PTs, the Beach 🙂
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
-Its a Great Day to Be a Seahawk
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
-Lean on your teammates. No matter how hard it can be, know that they are right there with you! Even though swimming is an individual sport I never would’ve had as much success as I did without my teammates. They are there through every hard practice and every lap swum, and we Distance swimmers swim a lot of them. 🙂
way back when...
somewhere close to now...