University of Massachusets Athletics
Allery Sits Atop Record Books
March 25, 2003 | Women's Swimming & Diving
March 25, 2003
The true heart of a champion is often found alone, in the solace of practice. This tireless commitment to the craft of diving lies in the soul of Kate Allery.
Allery holds UMass school records in three diving categories, topping the lists in the 1-meter, six dive 3-meter and 11 dive 3-meter. She set two school records in the 2002-2003 season, tallying a UMass-best in the 1-meter with 288.43 points and the 3-meter (11 dive) with 468.60 points. She set the 1-meter record at the Joseph R. Rogers Pool on Feb. 8 against Boston College on Senior Day and broke the UMass record in the 3-meter (11dive) record at the Atlantic-10 Championships. Allery topped her own record in the 1-meter, surpassing the mark of 287.02 points that she tallied last season.
Last month, Allery won the 1-meter dive with 270.40 points and the 3-meter (11 dive). She was named the A-10's Most Outstanding Diver of the Meet, as well as the conference's Most Outstanding Diver of the Year. Allery was also named to the All-Conference team and qualified for the NCAA Zone Regionals, where she finished sixth in the 3-meter dive and seventh in the 1-meter dive.
"[The A-10's was] The best I've ever done. Everything came together. I knew I did well after the prelims," said Allery.
While the rest of the team is done for the season, Allery is still training.
"[It is the] hardest time in the season, but it is easy to stay motivated," said Allery.
A typical day for Allery starts at 6:30 a.m. when she wakes up. After an hour of running (7 a.m. to 8 a.m.), she attends classes from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Once classes are over she is in the pool for the remainder of the afternoon.
"Kate is passionate about the sport in all aspects. It is the greatest way to feel about a sport, to truly love a sport," said UMass Diving Coach Mandy Hixon, who was honored as the 2003 Atlantic 10 Diving Coach of the Year..
Her passion has paid off. She was twice named the ECAC Division I Women's Diver of the Week. Allery received the honor for the first time on Feb. 8 when she broke the school record, and her own, in the 1-meter dive against Boston College and again on Feb. 26 when she won both the 3-meter (11 dive) and 1-meter events at the A-10 Championships. She was named the A-10 Performer of the Week twice, earning the honor on Jan. 20 and Feb. 10, and Allery was also named the Dinn Brothers UMass Athlete of the Week on Jan. 15.
Allery's accomplishments have put her in a leadership role on her UMass team.
"Kate is the coordinator, the do-er. She is the glue that holds the team together. The team looks up to her," said Hixon. "When Kate is down, the team is down."
These are testaments that even Allery has to agree to.
"Attitude-wise, I lead the group," said Allery.
She adds that the mental aspect of diving is so great, learning to stay positive in the meet is essential because it is difficult to put a bad dive aside.
Allery's family is her biggest support. She grew up in South Hadley, Mass., and graduated from South Hadley High School. Allery's sister, Sarah, was a swimmer at UMass from 1994-1998 and is her biggest support.
Allery is graduating this May with a degree in psychology. Her plans include moving to Boston, where she plans to attend graduate school in a year. She wants to pursue a career as a juvenile counselor and eventually a family counselor. Allery has worked with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children where she loved working with kids.
Before Allery can turn her attention to the future, she must first find a way to put closure to her collegiate diving career at UMass.
"It hasn't hit me yet. [I will need] to get ready to be done," said Allery.