University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Spotlight - Irina Chiulli
12/25/2014 | Women's Swimming & Diving
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| Spider Bytes | |
| Class: | Sophomore |
| Hometown: | Westwood, Mass. |
| High School: | Westwood |
| Club Team: | Boston Area Diving |
| Major: | Undecided |
| See Our Previous Spotlights | |
Twice a month, we'll visit with a different Spider student-athlete in the Wells Fargo Spider Spotlight. Each sport in season will also have profiles on their respective sport's home page.
Did You Know...
• In her spare time (a fleeting concept for most of our student-athletes), Irina says she consumes media via Netflix and has binge-watched her favorite TV shows... Notable series include Prison Break and Gilmore Girls... She says she will watch any movie with Melissa McCarthy or Sandra Bullock in it and Anna Kendrick is adding herself to that list.
• Big on trips home, Irina loves having a break in Massachusets with friends and family. She spends lots of time with her mom and younger sister, who is applying to colleges now, and is more and more enjoying time with her older sister, who is currently a sophomore at Rhode Island
• Irina said qualifying for NCAA Zones (the equivalent of regionals in other sports) was a bonus as a freshman, but not something she imagined would be possible at first. But, that set the bar high for her and she put a little pressure on herself to qualify for Zones again in 2015 (which she has already done this year). Are their more goals for 2015? "I think there is more opportunity to possibly make the NCAA Championships this year," she said. I feel like if I do my dives as well as I can and as consistently as I can, I have a shot."
• When getting ready for a dive at a meet, Irina says she will listen to music, relax and watch other dives or talk to other divers in line to keep herself calm. Beyond visualizing the dives she will execute in a given day, any more thought about it will get to be too much. "But I make sure to listen to the announcement of the dive I am going to do next, just to be sure I do the right dive!" she said.
• Divers will perform six dives in a round (preliminary and/or finals) but can be allowed at some meets to change their dives at a given time, based on circumstances. Scores are factored based on the execution of the dive and the difficulty. She claims to have about seven dives and a safety valve dive in the 3m and eight and three safety valve dives for the 1m board.
Meet Irina...
Career aspirations: I am still finding something I am passionate about.
Three words to describe yourself: quiet, compassionate, hardworking
Best or most memorable moment as a member of your Spider program: As great of a moment it was to win the A-10 last year, winning wasn't the most memorable part it was how unified our team was. The spirit and encouragement throughout that meet is what I remember most… everyone screaming and cheering for one another with complete sincerity. Yes, winning was a great end result that we all worked so hard for, but the energy from the team was something I had never experienced before everyone looking out for each other.
Strengths: Hardworking, I love diving and as frustrated as I get sometimes and as tired as I am I do my best to push through and still work hard.
Working to improve: I am still working on consistency of my dives as well as executing them to the best of my ability.
Favorite meal: Steak with mashed potatoes
Favorite ice cream: Moose Tracks
On your playlist: Country
Most embarrassing thing on your playlist: Spice Girls - If You Want To Be My Lover
If you have one wish: To be young again and remember what it felt like to have no responsibilities and nothing to worry about.
What most people don't know about you: I was adopted from Russia when I was 6 months old
If you could go on any game show: Wipeout, I find it hilarious as well as looks quite challenging and would love to try and make it through an obstacle.
Dream car: Tiffany Blue Lamborghini or a red or black camaro
If you could travel anywhere in the world: Russia or Greece
Favorite class: Psychology
Pets: A yorkie (Logan), two cats (diamond and patch) and a fish
Hero: As cliche as it may be, my parents, because no one will ever love me as much as they do. They are the ones who fully support me and sacrifice so much for my sisters and I. They have always been there for me even through the hardest times and continue to pick me up at my lowest points.
Favorite childhood TV show: Full House
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive: My dad's parents, I never got to meet them but I have heard such amazing things about them I really wish they were in my life.
If you could have any superpower: Control time