Nick McCrory

Nick McCrory is the incredible diver on the Duke Varsity Swimming and Diving Team headed to the Olympics 2012 in London.  Just last year he won gold at the 2011 USA Diving Nationals for the 10-meter platform.  Outside of diving, Nick is a Junior Math major studying Pre-Med at Chapel Hill.  He enjoys watching movies and listening to music.
 
HC: When and why did you start diving?
Nick:I started diving when I was 8 years old. I actually was a swimmer first at Koury Natatorium (the UNC pool), but I got really bored with the practices and was looking for something more exciting. Everyday at swimming, I would see the diving practices going on at the other end of the pool and I was so jealous. After months of begging my Mom to let me try diving, she finally let me and I immediately knew it was what I wanted to do.
 
HC: What was your favorite moment in diving?
Nick: Though I’ve had many exciting moments in my NCAA career, my favorite diving memory was from the Finals of the 2008 Olympic Trials when I scored a personal best and finished 4th. That event showed me that I could compete with the best and I attribute my success over the past few years to the motivation and excitement that I gained from that competition.
 
HC: How do you balance school and training?
Nick: I have had to really improve my time management skills ever since I came to college to make sure that I keep up with my schoolwork as well as maintain my high level of training. The hardest part for me has been finding time to sleep! I keep everything balanced by trying to stay focused on what I have to do and being efficient with my time.
 
HC: What is your weekly schedule like?
Nick: My weekly schedule is packed with training. I have diving practice everyday except for Sunday. My days start early with daily morning practice. I have some rest time after morning practice and then later in the afternoon, I have another diving workout. I also lift weights twice a week and I recently started doing Pilates twice a week.