The women’s diving team has been performing well as of late, in large thanks to freshman diver Ryleigh Mahoney.
Mahoney has been excelling in her first year with Sacred Heart University (SHU). Mahoney earned the Metro Athletic Atlantic Conference (MAAC) Rookie of the Week for her performances against Fairfield University, University of Bridgeport and the College of the Holy Cross.
Her great performances from the week were highlighted by the meet at Holy Cross, on Saturday, Jan. 24. Mahoney won both diving events, scoring 273.83 on the one-meter dive, and 315.98 on the three-meter dive.
Source: Greg Vasil, SHU Athletics
Mahoney has been succeeding all year, but her key to success has been positivity. After being asked what has contributed most to her success, Mahoney said, “having supportive people around me.”
Mahoney said being lifted by her teammates and coaches keeps her going.
“My teammates and coaches create a positive environment that makes every day enjoyable and something I look forward to,” said Mahoney.
Diving Coach Adam Vance, who has been with the program since 2018, has taken his team to levels of success never earned.
Some of Vance’s accolades include 2025 MAAC Diving Coach of the Year and winning Northeast Conference Women’s Diving Coach of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Vance sees Mahoney’s positive mindset at practice all the time.
“She can tell when things are getting a little tense at practice and she is the perfect person to bring the lightness to it for the team,” said Vance. “She doesn’t take herself too seriously, she has a lot of fun at practice,”
However, to be able to have this lighthearted mentality, Mahoney needs to be able to have the drive to succeed regardless of failure, and her success as a first-year diver is an example of this.
The regular season has now ended for the Pioneers, and they are looking ahead to the postseason. They will be competing in the MAAC Championships in Geneva, OH from Wednesday, Feb. 11 through Saturday, Feb. 14.
Looking ahead to the MAAC Championships, the diving team is making sure to perfect their performances.
“It’s more of the fine-tuning process right now. Their repetitions have gone down a bit because we’re working on more specific details,” said Vance.
However, for Mahoney, the MAAC Championships will not be any different in her mind.
“I will treat the MAAC Championships as any other meet I have competed at this year by trusting my training, staying positive, and focusing on one dive at a time,” said Mahoney.
After the MAAC Championships, the diving team will then compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Zone Qualifiers on March 9 and March 10.
For the competition in March, Mahoney plans to “carry the same energy and attitude to be able to dive my best,” referring to her lighthearted and positive mentality.
The women’s diving team returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Geneva, OH to compete in the MAAC Championships.
Athletic Communications contributed to this article.
