Sport and Exercise Psychology Current Students
Sofia Ceccarello
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: Sofia Ceccarello is a first-year M.S. student in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track, and a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Rifle Team. Born and raised in Ravenna, Italy, she earned her B.A. in Media Arts and Studies while competing on the NCAA Rifle Team and serving as Team Captain. She has represented Italy internationally for nearly a decade, traveling the world and competing at major events. Her experiences in elite sport shaped her passion for mental performance, athlete mental health, and resilience. She hopes to earn her CMPC and work with elite athletes while using storytelling to highlight the unseen side of sport.
Matthew Cooper
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I am a second-year graduate student from Greensboro, North Carolina. I have a bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill in Exercise and Sport Science as well as Psychology. Through my studies, my work as an exercise science research assistant, and my lifelong dedication to being an everything fan, I cultivated a passion for sport and performance psychology. Here at UK, I am driven to implement evidence-based practice and learn how to best implement a client-centered approach for every athlete. I have the long-term goal of becoming a CMPC and working at the collegiate level as a mental performance consultant.
Catherine Dennehy
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Track
About Me: I am a second year graduate student originally from New Hampshire, and I earned a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Kentucky. My interest in sport psychology developed through my experiences as an equestrian and through my work with clients as a personal trainer. This year, I am further developing my applied skills through my internship with Asbury University Athletics and my continued work as a personal trainer. I will also be completing a thesis, which will examine emotionally abusive coaching in equestrian sports.
Addie Dobson
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I'm a first-year student from Centerville, Ohio. I graduated from WVU with a degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology and a minor in Coaching while competing as a Division I rower. During my time there, I stayed heavily involved in leadership, research, coaching, and mentoring, serving as SAAC's Student Wellness Chair and representing WVU as a Big 12 Career Tour delegate. I was also honored to receive WVU's Outstanding Senior Award. Outside of school, I work with HS athletes to develop mental skills and confidence, and I direct a youth running program where I incorporate sport psychology principles into coaching.
Eli Edwards
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Track
About Me: Eli Edwards is a first-year master’s student in the Sport & Exercise Psychology program at the University of Kentucky and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Life Fitness program. He earned his B.S. in Psychology from Olivet Nazarene University, where he also played collegiate basketball and was named an NAIA All-American and CCAC Conference Player of the Year. Eli hopes to pursue a career as a licensed psychologist working with athletes and teams, with a particular focus on helping athletes develop healthy identities both within and beyond sport. Beyond academics, he enjoys basketball, being outside, and spending time with his wife, Tatum.
Grace Hathaway
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I am a second-year graduate student from Calabasas, California. I earned my B.S. in Psychology from Indiana University, where I competed as a collegiate water polo athlete.Experiences navigating injuries and competition sparked my passion for understanding performance and helping athletes build resilience. I am interested in expanding access to mental performance resources for student-athletes, and am working toward becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, with interests in private practice and counseling psychology study. Our internship sites give me the privilege to work with Women’s Tennis and Men’s and Women’s Golf here at UK.
Thomas Hawse
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: Having grown up in Lexington and completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Kentucky, there is no doubt I bleed blue. What really brings me to UK SEP is my respect and admiration for the program that Dr. Cormier, Dr. Samson, and now Dr. Hogue have committed to building here. Additionally, during my time at UK, I had the opportunity to participate in research alongside two peers where I found my interest in performance-based research. The possibility of continuing research and working towards a CMPC certification, I believe, best prepares me for my future in the field.
Davidson Jump
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I am a first-year Master’s student on the applied track from Granville, Ohio. At 14, I underwent brain surgery for an Arteriovenous Malformation, an experience that shaped my resilience and interest in helping athletes navigate challenges. I later became a collegiate student-athlete at Denison University, where my experiences in athletics and research sparked my passion for Sport Psychology. Along with being a student at Kentucky, I will serve as an intern with UK Football’s Recruiting Department and as an Instructional Aide in the College of Public Health. As an AASP Student Member, I aspire to become a CMPC and support collegiate athletes.
Ashlee Lovett
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: First-year grad student from Colorado. 2026 Ball State University graduate where I earned my B.S in Psychology with minors in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Criminal Justice while competing in Division I Softball. My passion for sport psychology developed through my own experiences as a student-athlete, where learning mental skills transformed my confidence, performance, and well-being. With 14 years of athletic experience, I recognize the importance of mental health and the need for greater representation within the field. At the University of Kentucky, I hope to earn my CMPC certification and become a validating, empowering professional.
Lauren Martin
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Track
About Me: Lauren played DI lacrosse at Virginia Tech while earning her bachelor's degree in Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. Now, she works as a Strength and Conditioning GA for Olympic Sports at UK while earning her masters. She will be interning as the Sport Psych at Transylvania University this year. Lauren believes in putting the person before the athlete and using evidence based techniques in both sport and mental performance. Her academic interests include Eating Disorders, Body Image, and Athletic performance. Her personal interests include family and friends, the beach, animals, and pickleball.
Ryan Merani
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I am a first-year M.S. student in Sport and Exercise Psychology at UK, where I also earned my degree in Health Promotion. I spent my undergraduate career competing for the UK Swimming and Diving team, including three trips to the NCAA Championships and serving as a team captain my senior year. Being a college athlete is a big part of what led me to sport psychology and my interest in helping athletes navigate the mental side of sport. My faith is also a huge part of my life and shapes the way I want to serve and build relationships with others. My goal is to use my experiences and education to help athletes become better performers, lead
Cathryn Papasodora
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I'm a second-year graduate student and assistant rifle coach at the UK and a former D1 rifle athlete from Alaska. I earned my undergraduate degree from UK in Integrated Strategic Communication. My experiences have shaped my passion for mental performance and personal growth. I’m pursuing my master’s degree to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and bring sport psychology into coaching and sports administration. I hope to advocate for mental health and performance among Indigenous students and athletes while giving back to my community. I believe everyone who works with athletes can positively influence mental performance.
Jaelynn Penn
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I offer a rare blend of elite athletic experience and heart for helping others grow. I played collegiate basketball at Indiana University and UCLA, reaching the Elite 8 and later trained and competed with Team USA before playing professionally overseas. Was a basketball skills trainer at Shoot360 and now serve as a graduate assistant with UK Women's Basketball, applying my love for skill development and mindset coaching at the collegiate level. I’m also passionate about mental health advocacy, having organized a 5K for awareness and funds. I am pursuing my goal of becoming a player development coach specializing in mental performance.
Kelley Renner
Current Degree: Second Year Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Track, M.S. in Counselor Education
About Me: A former NCAA Division I softball player and New Zealand national athlete, she earned a B.S. in Psychology from UC San Diego and an M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from UK. Her experiences with injury inspired her passion for supporting athletes through performance, recovery, and mental health challenges. She is a CMPC, second-year PhD student in Sport Studies/Sport Psychology, and Graduate Teaching Assistant in Life Fitness. She is also pursuing an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and training with UK Athletics. Her research focuses on sport psychology, mental health, and injury within horse racing.
Stefan Savin
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Track
About Me: I am a second-year master’s student at the University of Kentucky, aspiring to become a licensed psychologist. Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I earned my B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University, where I researched mental effort in visualization and led a bibliometric analysis of a psychological scale related to athletic performance. My passion for sport psychology developed through competitive archery as a member of the Texas A&M Target Archers and U.S. Junior National Archery Team. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology, earn the CMPC credential, and support athletes’ mental health and performance.
Alison Selverstone
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Track
About Me: Alison Selverstone earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, double-majoring in Psychology and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies with a minor in Architectural History. She conducted research in the PACT Lab, completed her senior thesis entitled An Uneven Playing Field: Gender and the History of Sports Psychology, and served as the marketing intern for the WGS department for two years. She was also a member of UVA’s club tennis team, which won a national championship in 2023. At the University of Kentucky, she aims to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and pursue a PhD in counseling psychology.
Becca Tse
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: I am a second-year graduate student from Brentwood, California (the Bay Area!). I graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. My experiences in Ole Miss’s Psychology Department, including the LBC and HART Labs, sparked my interest in understanding why people behave the way they do. As a former competitive gymnast and springboard diver, I am especially interested in elite youth athletics and coaching techniques that foster supportive, effective environments. I hope to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and work in collegiate and/or elite youth athletics while continuing.
Gabriel Variano
Current Degree: M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Track
About Me: Originally from Martignacco, Italy, Gabrie earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Montevallo, where he competed as an NCAA tennis student-athlete and was named his conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. After graduating early, he spent six months solo traveling and volunteering throughout South America. Now a first-year M.S. Sport and Exercise Psychology student on the Applied Track at UK, he aims to pursue CMPC certification and work with young tennis athletes. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant with Life Fitness, he is gaining additional experience in teaching, coaching, and sport mentorship.
