Tyler Toren Senior Profile

DURHAM, N.C. -- Recently, GoDuke.com sat down with senior Tyler Toren to learn more about the Wilson, Pa., native.

GoDuke.com: Take us through your routine before your event comes up in a meet.
TT: Right before I usually sit down, take a deep breath, grab a sip of water and a sip of Gatorade and then I watch the race right before mine. I start shaking my knees, trying to get ready to go. I'll clap after that race, I slowly walk up and get my goggles on and get ready to go. I'm a quiet type when it comes to getting ready for my races.

GoDuke.com: What is your go-to pre-meet meal?
TT: I always have to have a banana and eggs and dry fruit – something that's not going to upset the stomach. I don't really eat a lot because I'm generally a very nervous person when it comes to swimming.

GoDuke.com: What is a road trip memory that sticks out to you?
TT: Karaoke on the bus on the way back. Our assistant coach, Jesse Moore, will be like, “Alright, who wants to sing a song?” Every now and then we'll have just these crazy people belt out funny tunes and it makes the trip go by a lot quicker.

GoDuke.com: What is one lesson you have learned from swimming that you will use throughout the rest of your life?
TT: Always have a system, always have a progression of what you're about to do. It's sort of time management. Like, I'm going to warm up now, I'm going to eat this bar now, I'm going to walk up now, I'm going to watch this race – you're very organized. It's helped me be very organized and very determined and very focused on what I'm going to do.

GoDuke.com: What does it mean for you to represent Duke University?
TT: It's honestly been a blessing. [Head coach] Dan [Colella] has had the opportunity to pick anyone and he chose me, and I'm going to be forever grateful for that. I'm so proud to represent Duke University, and I hope they've enjoyed my presence. There really are no words for that. It's been a great time and I'm going to be forever grateful for that.

GoDuke.com: What is an academic achievement that you're proud of?
TT: Making Dean's List.

GoDuke.com: What do you think you'll miss the most once your time here is over?
TT: Definitely all of my teammates. They all have different personalities and I love learning from them every day. I feel it's my job to get them to laugh every now and then. I love being the funny support system for them. It's just an amazing group of people and I'm going to miss them.

GoDuke.com: Can you talk about the dedication of the athletes and coaches to help get this program where it is today?
TT: Every day, we hear people in the pool encouraging us. There's a great support system. One of the best things Duke swimming and diving has going for it is the interaction between the men's and women's team. We all get along. We're all one team, one vision.

#GoDuke

Players Mentioned

Tyler Toren

Duke information