FAIRFAX, Va. – GoMason.com took some time this week to go out of the pool with senior diver Nick Guttendorf of the Mason swimming & diving team. Guttendorf won the 1-meter diving competition in Mason's meet with the College of Charleston, Northeastern and Towson and also both the one and three-meter diving events while helping the men defeat Delaware in dual earlier this season.
GoMason.com: What made you choose to dive at George Mason?
Guttendorf: I originally chose mason solely for diving and the “in state” appeal, but I can now say that the campus, my teammates, and everyone I've met in my time here have grown on me.
GoMason.com: In your opinion, what is the best part about diving for George Mason?
Guttendorf: I love being part of a team: the camaraderie as well as constantly pushing one another to improve.
GoMason.com: What goals have you set for yourself this season?
Guttendorf: I have a lot of goals for this season: I want to beef up my list of dives to highest degree of difficulty I can achieve, I would like to qualify for zone championships, I want to continuously train and compete at the highest level, and lastly I want to help the men's team bring home the A-10 championship this year.
GoMason.com: What kind of music do you listen to before a race?
Guttendorf: I like listening to music with a great beat and little to no words, like techno or house music. Anything by The Glitch Mob, and most house music helps keep my mind at ease, and maintain my level of energy.
GoMason.com: Where do you find your inspiration to dive?
Guttendorf: I knew I wanted to dive in college when I attended the ACC championships while in high school. Since then it has been people, like Mason Alum Derrick Butts, who came from a limited diving background in high school and later went on to make a name for himself in the NCAA. Thinking about those things always helped me to strive to get better every day.
GoMason.com: What activities do you like to do outside of the pool?
Guttendorf: I love playing/watching sport, listening to music, watching movies, and hanging with friends and family.
GoMason.com: What is your favorite/least favorite workout to do in practice?
Guttendorf: I like doing back and gainer progressions, but It's always a struggle doing 'optionals'—(competition dives) immediately after weight lifting.
GoMason.com: How do you stay in shape during the offseason?
Guttendorf: I like playing pickup basketball in the summer, but I also work out and do insanity videos.
Other Favorites:
Food - any kind of pasta
Guilty pleasure food - Peanut m&m's
Quote - “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why it's called the present.” –Master Oog'way from Kung Fu Panda
Song - Stubborn Love-Lumineers
Favorite person to follow on Twitter - I rarely use my twitter, but I would have to say Ron Swanson from Park's & Rec.
