Jessica Lyden Senior Profile

DURHAM, N.C.- Senior Jessica Lyden took first place in both women's diving events last Friday evening against the University of Virginia. Recently, GoDuke.com sat down with the Lexington, Ky., native to learn some of her habits outside of the pool.

GoDuke.com: What TV shows do you keep up with?
Jessica Lyden: I never watch TV much but I did just start watching "The Bachelor" with my roommates and some other girls on the team. It's definitely entertaining.

GoDuke.com: Do you have any embarrassing music on your iPod?
JL: I never really update my iPod so a lot of it is probably considered embarrassing. I love country music.

GoDuke.com: What is your favorite movie?
JL: "The Notebook" and "Remember the Titans" are both up there as my all-time favorites.

GoDuke.com: Do you have any superstitions or pre-meet rituals?
JL: I do not really have any superstitions. I like to listen to upbeat music before a meet.

GoDuke.com: What is on your bucket list?
JL: I want to go sky diving and also travel through Europe; I've never been to Europe before.

GoDuke.com: What is the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome athletically?
JL: Definitely having surgery on both shoulders my sophomore year. It was tough to have the surgeries back to back and then also the recovery was a really long process. Getting back to training to the level that I was before was really tough.

GoDuke.com: What is your favorite home-cooked meal?
JL: Probably my mom's Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

GoDuke.com: Can you cook? If so what is your favorite thing to cook?
JL: My roommates are much better cooks than I am but we did make a very good veggie pizza the other night. I bake more than I cook - cookies, red velvet cake balls are probably my specialty.

GoDuke.com: What has been your favorite class at Duke?
JL: I'm a psychology major so I like a lot of the psychology classes I've taken. Last semester I took Looking inside the Disordered Brain, which was fascinating.

GoDuke.com: What has been your toughest class at Duke?
JL: Physics is brutal.

GoDuke.com: Where do you like to study on campus?
JL: I usually study in the K center or outside the Gothic Reading Room where it is typically not as crowded.

GoDuke.com: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
JL: Hopefully a doctor. I'm thinking about being a pediatrician now.

GoDuke.com: Who has had the most impact on your life?
JL: My parents. Both my parents were divers and coaches and my dad was my coach up until I came to Duke. They never forced me into the sport. They let me choose it because I loved the sport. They were incredibly supportive throughout my career. Everything I know about not giving up and working your hardest is because of them so I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them.

GoDuke.com: Describe Coach Drew Johansen in one word.
JL: Encouraging. Sometimes I can be pretty tough on myself, especially coming back from surgery. He is always so patient and positive and encouraging along the way.

GoDuke.com: Who would you trade places with for a day?
JL: Kate Middleton.

GoDuke.com: Who would be your dream date?
JL: Ryan Gosling.

GoDuke.com: What was your first car?
JL: I've had the family cars handed down to me. My first car was a silver Windstar minivan. Now I drive my mom's old TrailBlazer.

GoDuke.com: Who would play you in a movie?
JL: Natalie Portman.

GoDuke.com: What is one thing you wish you could do?
JL: Dance. I am not a very good dancer.

GoDuke.com: What is your favorite restaurant in Durham?
JL: The Washington Duke.

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