Student-Athlete of the Week - Tanja Kylliainen
March 20, 2014 | Academic Services
March 20, 2014
Name: Tanja Kylliainen
Sport: Swimming & diving
Post-college ambition: Travel the world...doesn't matter how or who with
Person with greatest influence on athletic career: My older sister, Erin Wendell
Biggest thrill in sports: Being selected as part of 2013 Finnish World Championship Team
Athlete you most admire: Katinka Hosszu
What impresses you most about your coach: His ability to work with any type of athlete/person
What has been your biggest athletic obstacle to overcome: Breaking my ankle and overcoming physical/mental journey
Hobbies and outside interests: DANCING, PINNING, reading, and my niece Lucy
Pre-competition superstition: Crack knuckles
Favorite professional team: Baltimore Ravens
Favorite Movie: Talladega Nights
Favorite TV show: American Horror Story
Favorite music artist: Beyonce
Favorite food: Finnish rice pies
Favorite class: COMM 342: Introduction to Strategic Communication
Favorite book: Heaven is for Real
Favorite professor: Dr. Steve Sohn
Favorite funny movie quote: "She said, `No you're wrong.' I said, `You got a lumpy butt'" or "Shake and bake" - Talladega Nights
Favorite iPhone/Android app: Instagram
A "Stupid Human Trick" you can do: I can do a scorpion or a split
Person you would most like to meet: Beyonce
Words that best describe you: Silly, caring, intelligent, and ambitious (pool wise)
Best advice you have gotten about sports: Don't take it too seriously; there are worse things in life. Appreciate the time you have.
What people should know about you but probably don't: I am a dual citizen of Finland and the United States
If they filmed a movie about your life, who would star in it and what would it be called: Hayden Panettiere (she's blonde and short) in Adventures of a Munchkin
If you could have dinner with three people (current, historical, fictional) who would it be: Oprah, Amelia Earhart, and Ricky Bobby
Why you chose UofL: The coaching staff, team support system, and combo of academics and athletics
Best part about being an athlete: An entire new wardrobe each fall
The moment you realized you were really good at your sport: When my coach made me choose nationals in swimming or allowing me to play field hockey another season
Your favorite place to volunteer or do community service: In the library with ESL students
The strangest thing that ever happened to you while you were competing in your sport: My suit ripped at a meet warm up when someone kicked my chest
What is your favorite place you have ever visited: London, England
What is your favorite season: Fall - I love the crisp air, falling leaves and mild climate
