Like many young girls, Woodland Dance Team captain, Annabell Duffany, began dancing at a very young age. She started at Heart and Sole Dance Studio, where she still trains today. Throughout her career, she has earned numerous accomplishments, including being a three-time Naugatuck Valley League (NVL) champion and making history as a state champion with the Woodland Dance Team for the first time. These achievements are even more impressive considering the physical and emotional obstacles she overcame along the way.
Duffany faced a significant challenge in her final year, an injury that threatened her season. In October of 2024, she was diagnosed with a severe concussion after performing a rolling tinsica at her dance studio. What was initially expected to be a 2-4 week recovery turned into a daunting three-month process.
“This was a really hard thing to be out of a sport that I have been doing since I can remember for my last high school season ever,” Duffany recalls, reflecting on the emotional toll of being unable to dance. She worried about losing months of training and struggled with the uncertainty of when she could return. To make matters more stressful, she was simultaneously navigating the college application process to continue her athletic career.
Staying motivated during this difficult time was no easy task. Duffany had to find creative ways to stay active despite her injury.
“I wasn’t sure if dance was something that would even be in the question for me anymore. Once I got over that hill of doubting myself, even though I could not technically be dancing … I was able to go to the gym and start training my body in different ways that were less strenuous but still would help my process.”
Throughout this journey, Duffany never faced her challenges alone; her mom was by her side every step of the way.
“At every doctor’s appointment and recovery treatment, there for all the tears and breakdowns. She’s the one who motivates me back into moving my body again and getting back into dance slowly. The best part was that she always listened to me when I said something was wrong,” Duffany shares, expressing her deep gratitude for her mom’s constant support.
The hardest part of her injury came when it became time to start applying to colleges, when she was unable to perform during a crucial time for recruitment.
“A lot of due dates for (sending in recruitment videos) were during my injury, causing me to have to email coaches and ask them if I can still apply and be considered. Sadly, a lot of my top options became unavailable because of the timing.”
Having experienced the challenges of recovery firsthand, Duffany now offers valuable advice to fellow student-athletes facing similar setbacks.
“Personally I started shutting down and pushing everything out of my life because I was so confused with what was going on and everything was kind of changing. I think a big thing that let down my motivation was the fact that my clearance dates kept getting pushed back further and further. I really lost hope in myself,” said Duffany. “Never turn your back on what you love. Always stay motivated and keep your support system close.”
