Nick Lake was a member of the Emory University swimming and diving program from 2004-08, helping the Eagles to four top-4 finishes at the NCAA Championships including a national runner-up effort at the 2005 national meet. A dominant distance performer, Lake is one of only 15 swimmers in men’s team history to garner at least 12 All-America honors during their career, ending his four-year span with 12 All-America certificates. Among his honors, Nick became just the third Eagle ever to earn All-America honors all four years in the 1,650 Freestyle, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in the event as a senior. In addition, Lake held the second fastest mark all-time in the 1650 Free at the time of graduation and was the University Athletic Association champion in the event at the 2006 conference meet. A standout in the classroom as well, Nick was named a CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team selection as a senior and was the recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Question: Can you tell us what your occupation is and where you are living?
Nick Lake: I'm currently working as a Strategy and Operations Lead at Google in New York City.
Q: Can you give an update on some of your experiences post-Emory to where you are now?
NL: After Emory I spent 1.5 years in Charlotte working as an investment banking analyst. Realizing that was not the life for me, I came back to Atlanta and to Emory Swimming & Diving as a coach for 3.5 years - which will forever remain the most special piece of my professional career. From there I spent 2.5 years in Boston working in go-to-market strategy for a Cleantech company (EnerNOC), did my MBA at Harvard Business School, and then made the move to New York where I spent 2 years in management consulting at Bain & Company before making the switch to Google early last year. I've been fortunate enough along the way to get to travel around the world; some favorite places include Cape Town, Australia, Thailand, France, and Greece. Looking back, I can't help but be grateful for the many doors that Emory opened for me.
Q: What were the primary reasons in choosing Emory as your college destination?
NL: Of course the academics at Emory are stellar and the Swimming & Diving program is one of the best in the country, full stop. But for me, the decision to attend Emory came down to all of the intangibles. Emory was the first of 20 (!) colleges around the country that I made my mom visit with me during my junior and senior years of high school, and right off the bat I remember it just felt right. I remember being impressed by the facilities and the campus. More importantly, Jon and Cindy and the members of the team that I met along the way made me feel welcome. I found in them a group that I was beyond excited to become a part of, one that I knew would make me better in every way. I got a lot of pressure - from teachers and guidance counselors - to go D1 and/or to choose an Ivy, but at the end of the day Emory just stuck with me. It was a no-brainer.
Q: Reflections upon your time at Emory, both as a member of the swim team and as a student?
NL: Choosing Emory is unquestionably one of the best decisions I have made. Emory definitely delivered on its promise of a first-class education; and I'll never forget what it felt like to wake up every day, to put on the blue and gold, and train and compete with my Emory Swimming & Diving teammates. But the thing that stands out to me most is the way that Emory has stuck with me since I graduated. Many of my teammates from Emory have become mainstays in my life and I've loved every minute of the 16+ year adventure we've been on together.
Q: Can you name any Influential people during your time at Emory?
NL: The list is long. Certainly my coaches - Jon and Cindy, in particular - deserve a lot of the credit for everything I accomplished in the pool. The same can be said of Tim Newton, my training partner of three years. And then there's a host of teammates that I grew up with for four years - as a swimmer and as a person - particularly Weathers Bolt, Cary Burke, Michelle Faurot, Ellen Flader, Steve Inacker and Alex Levinger.
Q: You garnered All-America status every year of your career including four straight honors in the 1,650 Freestyle, becoming the third-ever men’s swimmer to accomplish that feat – What were some of your keys to success that allowed you to finish among the nation’s best in that event all four years of your career?
NL: I had a great support system - coaches that I trusted to give me the training that I needed; teammates (especially the distance group) who made it fun to put in the work day in and day out; and family and friends who stuck with me every step of the way. I also took a lot of pride in representing Emory - and the feeling that I was swimming for something bigger than myself helped me to dig deep during some tight races. That combination made for a college career that I'm really proud of.
Q: In addition, your swimming resume includes a total of 12 All-America honors and you were the recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship following your swimming career – Can you describe how you were able to balance swimming and academics at such a high level?
NL: I loved what I was doing...I think it's as simple as that. Even during the tough times - a long 400 IM set at 6am in an unheated pool at Florida training, for example - I always felt incredibly lucky to be at Emory, doing the sport that I loved, surrounded by a group of teammates who were also working their hearts out in pursuit of a common goal. On the academic side, I took classes that interested in me with professors who were excited to teach.
Q: Any other highlights that you remember while swimming at Emory?
NL: Spending two weeks during the summer before my sophomore year training and exploring Italy and Switzerland with ~50 of my Emory Swimming and Diving teammates is something I'll never forget.
Q: How are you surviving the pandemic and how has it affected you?
NL: I'm doing my best to stay sane while spending entirely too much time in my not-so-large New York City apartment. I hunkered down for most of the spring / early summer with one of my former Emory teammates; that went a long way in keeping me sane during the months when New York was hit hardest by the pandemic. Fortunately, conditions have improved pretty dramatically in the city, so I've been able to take advantage of outdoor dining and spend a lot of time outside in Central Park. And I've managed to escape the city a few times to catch up with friends in Boulder, Seattle, and Atlanta.
Q: Any interests/hobbies or things you do to relax when away from work?
NL: I like to stay active as much as possible - that's something that has stuck with me since my swimming days. I've done a few marathons and triathlons, and enjoy CrossFit as well. I try to travel to at least one new location every year. And I try to get to a beach whenever I can.
Q: How did you begin your swimming career? How old were you?
NL: I think I started swim lessons before I could walk. I grew up in coastal Massachusetts and we spent a lot of time at the beach during the summer, so from a safety standpoint it was important that I knew how to swim. My competitive swimming career started at age 8 at the local YMCA.
Q: Any former teammates that you are in contact with?
NL: Too many to list. I've remained extremely close with the class of 2008; we've been together through weddings and babies, and some tough times as well. My teammates at Emory have become some of those most important constants in my life - they're family.
Q: Are you able to keep up with Emory swimming & diving?
NL: My 3.5 years as a coach formally extended my relationship with Emory, Since then, I've assumed the role of superfan, eagerly checking meet results online and traveling to every NCAA championship meet since I graduated. So, yeah, I guess you could say that I'm able to keep up with Emory Swimming & Diving :)
Q: Is there anything that you take from being a student-athlete into your profession?
NL: A lot of grit. I don't think there much you could throw my way that my time at Emory failed to prepare me for.
Q: Any advice you would give Emory students/future grads?
NL: Two things. First, enjoy your time at Emory - it will go by too fast. Second, you have a massive network of alums who couldn't be more excited to lend a helping hand - don't be afraid to reach out to us if you ever need to.
Nick currently works as a Strategy and Operations Lead at Google in New York City.