University of North Carolina Athletics
Di Nardo Added To U.S. National Team
January 31, 2016 | Field Hockey
Tar Heel senior Casey Di Nardo has been added to the U.S. Field Hockey National Team's centralized training program, National Team head coach Craig Parnham announced on Saturday. Currently a senior, Di Nardo will work with the team when possible this semester, her final one at UNC. She will join the team full-time at its training camp in Lancaster, Pa., in September, following the Summer Olympics.
Di Nardo was one of six additions announced on Saturday, following National Team trials earlier this month. She initially was named to the team as a transitional player in the summer of 2014 and returns after completing her collegiate eligibility with the 2015 season, when she helped the Tar Heels to an Atlantic Coast Conference title and a national runner-up finish.
"I have dreamed about joining Team USA for a long time," Di Nardo said. "Achieving this goal was exciting and I thought about all the dedicated people, especially my family, that helped me succeed and gave me encouragement and support along the way. The journey was challenging with a lot of training and preparation, but the sacrifices were worth it because it was rewarding on a personal level.
“I feel fortunate to continue playing a sport I love so much. There is nowhere else I would rather be and I will make every effort to challenge myself and continue the dream."
Di Nardo, a journalism major who will graduate from North Carolina in May, earned All-ACC and All-South Region honors during her senior season. Other players added to the U.S. squad are Anna Dessoye (Maryland), Amanda Dinunzio (Penn State), Jess Jecko (Syracuse), Alyssa Parker (Maryland) and Taylor West (James Madison).
“Each of the players demonstrated some excellent qualities throughout the trial,” said Parnham. “The trial is designed to identify strengths across a range of attributes. The selected players were able to display their proficiency during the trial and now have the opportunity to continue to grow and develop as part of the U.S. Women's National Team's central program as it builds toward the 2017 Pan American Cup in Lancaster.”
For more on the selections, click here.
