Michelle began her diving career at age six in the aquatics hot-spot of Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada. She dove competitively at an elite level as a student-athlete under the mentorship of internationally renowned coaches Dave Bedard and Yihua Li until the age of 19. She began coaching at 14 years old and has coached athletes of all ages and skill levels, ranging from ages six to 70 and up. Her passion for diving continued to evolve after her competitive career as she pursued circus diving in China and across the U.S. before returning to coaching, though she still occasionally performs.
Â
Michelle began the first Masters diving team in Montreal at the Pointe-Claire Aquatic Center, which quickly became renowned not only for its quick growth and success, but for its positive and welcoming culture. After moving to Richmond, VA, Michelle joined the coaching staff of RVA Dive Team and DiveRVA, which aims to be a catalyst for positive change in the diving community. She also coached three local high school teams, bringing athletes from each to VISAA State Championship finals, three of whom received silver and bronze medals. During the offseason, Michelle coaches at the University of Texas’ Longhorns Diving Camp which includes extensive training and education about the mechanics, movement, learning, and mental focus involved in the sport, alongside other highly skilled coaches and athletes.
Â
With a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University, as well as Personal Training Specialist and Active Aging certifications, Michelle combines her enthusiasm for anatomy and active living with her love of diving, all of which is embodied in her coaching. She believes in helping athletes thrive in a safe and supportive environment, while challenging them with a detail-oriented and personalized approach. Michelle is looking forward to helping the next generation of UVM Catamounts excel to new heights.
For recruiting inquiries please contact Gerry.Cournoyer@uvm.edu