Indiana University Athletics
Meet Senior Tina Gretlund
2/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
January 15, 2003
A Conversation with IU Senior Tina Gretlund
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A senior from Kastrup, Denmark, Tina Gretulund is expected to be one of Indiana's top performers at the 2003 Big Ten Swimming Championships, which begin this Wednesday in West Lafayette, Ind.
The school record holder in both the 200-yard butterfly (1:58.92) and 200-yard individual medley (2:02.48), Gretlund has also recorded top 10 all-time marks at Indiana University in the 400-yard IM (3rd in 4:18.59), 100-yard butterfly (5th in 55.80) and 200-yard backstroke (10th in 2:06.38). She also holds a school record as a member of the 800-yard freestyle relay as she coupled with Brooke Taflinger, Sarah Fiden, and Erin Smith to record a 7:19.14 during the 2002 season.
In this version of Meet the Hoosiers, Tina speaks about her hometown in Denmark, her favorite television shows, and a developing taste for Mexican food.
You came to Bloomington from Kastrup, Denmark? Explain a bit about your town and your secondary school.
My hometown is a suburb of Copenhagen (the capital of Denmark). It takes me about 25 minutes from my home to be in the middle of Copenhagen. Kastrup has about 50,000 people. I went to a public school, Pilen, from grade 1-10. Nobody really goes to private schools in my country because all over the country the public schools are good.
How did you end up at Indiana?
I had a friend who went to school at SMU. At the time Dorsey was the assistant coach at SMU. When Dorsey was in Denmark coaching my friend at a meet I met with her and we kept in contact. Dorsey then got the job here at IU and I decided that I wanted to give it a try. Actually my intention was just to stay for a year and then go back home, but I ended up liking it so much here and now almost four years have gone by.
What are your plans after graduation and how does your academic major fit into those plans?
I am a telecom and German major. The German major I picked mostly because I like language. I am going to grad school in Copenhagen next year in media studies. It is a two-year long program so hopefully I will be done in the summer of 2005.
Do you have any brothers and sisters? Is so, what are there ages and what do they do?
I have an older brother and his name is Ole. He is 25. He is in the military in Denmark and he is in the service that protects our queen. He was actually here visiting me last year and hopefully he will make it back in the spring before I graduate.
What is your greatest accomplishment in the swimming pool?
My greatest moment was probably when the team really came together last year at Big Tens. We did not win the title but the team spirit and effort was just amazing.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like going to movies with the girls from the team. Another thing I like to do in my free time is shopping.
Do you have any unique pre-race or pre-meet rituals?
I always crack every finger on the block that I am swimming in before my race.
What is your favorite movie and why?
I don't really have a favorite movie, but I just went and saw Catch Me if You Can and I really liked that one because it was very clever and different from so many other movies.
What is your favorite television show and why? Book?
I have a lot of favorite television shows. I have discovered so many new shows that I did not even know existed before I came here. Friends has always been a favorite of mine. Real World and Sex in the City are also on top of the list.
How do you deal with the monotony of early morning practices?
I have never really had a problem getting up early in the morning. Even if I don't have morning practice I still wake up before 8 a.m. Sometimes it is rough though, but it is part of you day - just like going to class is.
What are your primary goals for the remainder of the season?
I hope that we can take the Big Ten title this year and place within top 10 at NCAA. After NCAAs I hope to qualify for World Championships in Barcelona this summer for the Danish National team.
Describe Coach Tierney in three words?
Dedicated, tough, and competitive
Who is your funniest teammate?
I actually have a lot of fun with all my teammates at practice every day. If I have to say one however, it has to be Smitty (Erin Smith). I train with her every day and we have a lot of fun together. I must say that freshman Sarah Bugden is sneaking a very funny girl too. She makes us all laugh and have a good time.
What is your favorite vacation destination?
I have visited many nice places around the world, but my favorite so far is Algarve, Portugal. I have been there on vacation twice and it is just the most beautiful and relaxing place.
Do you have any musical talents?
I love to sing, but unfortunately I have no musical talents at all. I wish I did though....
What is your favorite event and why?
I have two favorite events: 200 fly and 200 free. As described earlier, they are kind of in between and I like that they are not too long but you still have to put some thought into how you choose to swim them.
Have you participated in any other sports?
When I was younger I played handball, but I have to give that up because swimming became too time consuming.
How would you describe your personality?
I would say that I am openminded. Coming to America has opened up my mind to a new and somewhat different culture than the one I grew up in. I think that with traveling you learn to open yourself up to new ideas and different ways to do things
