Student-Athlete of the Week - Tanja Kylliainen - | Official Website of University of Louisville Athletics
Student-Athlete of the Week - Tanja Kylliainen

Tanja Kylliainen was selected as the Louisville Student-Athlete of the Week.


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

Official Online Store