Paralympian Heads to Podium

Paralympian Heads to Podium

CAMPUS

notes from around the green

STUDENT-ATHLETES

Unlike most professional skiers who train all year long, Staci Mannella ’18 jumped into the alpine season in mid-November, after completing the academic fall term. “December was especially tough,” she muses, “because I was still getting my ski legs back.” That early disadvantage didn’t stop the biology major and aspiring veterinarian from medaling at the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and in the World Cup finals in PyeongChang, South Korea. In her first world championship, in Italy, the legally blind Paralympian won a super combined bronze and in South Korea a giant slalom bronze. Mannella, who started skiing at age 4, also picked up two silver medals in Slovenia earlier in January on the World Cup circuit. “She consistently challenges for the podium,” says coach Kevin Jardine.

For Mannella, who was born with a congenital vision impairment that makes her sensitive to light and limits her sight to a field of roughly three feet, skiing is all about relationships. She even enjoys sharing the podium with her friend and fellow Paralympian Danelle Umstead, who “could be considered my competition, but has mentored me throughout my whole career and even helped me find my new guide, Sadie DeBaun,” Mannella says. “When we’re on the podium together, it doesn’t matter who’s No. 1 or 2. It’s just so fun to be able to push each other and still have such a great relationship.” As Mannella’s eyes on the slopes, DeBaun skis ahead while indicating to Mannella, via a Bluetooth headset, oncoming twists and obstacles. “Our friendship is strong off the hills as well, which is definitely evident in our skiing,” Mannella says of the pal who now accompanies her for shopping, manicures, hikes and cooking. The other friend vying for Mannella’s affection is her guide dog, Smidge, who accompanies the skier all over North America. She’s “my mom’s favorite child,” Mannella quips.

Mannella wrapped up her season in March before returning to campus for the spring and summer terms, when she’ll be aiming for victories in a different sport. A horse lover and avid rider since childhood, she competes on the varsity equestrian team and maintains an eponymous website where fans can track her ski races.

Jessica Fedin ’17

VISITING VOICES

“Each of us can make choices Levery day about the way we eat that can make a difference.”

-GENE BAUER, COFOUNDER OF FARM SANCTUARY, A FARM ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATION

RANK 6 Rank of the College’s alumni network, according to collegerank.net

METRICS $721,423 Endowment dollars per full-time student at Dartmouth, which ranks 15th in the country