Bio

Tanase was a SCIAC champion and an All-SCIAC diver for the Athenas three seasons and qualified three times for the NCAA Division III Championships. As a senior, she was an honorable mention All-American and team captain on an Athena team that placed 11th at Nationals. As a leader on the team and the best diver in team history, Tanase set program records in the 1 and 3-meter events that held for many years. Three years after graduation, Tanase answered the call to coach at her alma mater, first in a part time role. After advocating to elevate women’s water polo to a varsity program, she became a faculty member and full-time head coach. Tanase led the Athena swimming & diving team to three SCIAC championships and as the foundational Athena water polo coach, led the Athenas to the first two SCIAC championships in team history. She also led the water polo team to a first place finish at the Collegiate II Water Polo Nationals in 1992. The culture and successes of the Athena teams Tanase led set the table for the current teams and successes of today’s Athena aquatics program.

Athletic Achievements
NCAA Division III Diving Championships Qualifier

• 1-Meter Diving – 1986, 1987, 1988
• 3-Meter Diving – 1986, 1987, 1988  

Honorable Mention All-American – 1988
5-Time SCIAC Diving Champion

• 1-Meter Diving – 1986, 1987
• 3-Meter Diving – 1986, 1987, 1988

All-SCIAC Diver – 1986, 1987, 1988
Team Captain – 1988
Program Record – 1 and 3-meter diving

Coaching Team Success
SCIAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Champions – 1994-95, 1995-96, 1998-99
SCIAC Women’s Water Polo Champions – 1997, 1999
Collegiate II Water Polo National Champions – 1992
Water Polo Career Record – 117-89 (40-16 SCIAC)
Swimming & Diving Career Record – 45-26 (34-7 SCIAC)

Inducted: 2023