Prior to coming to Yale, Doug swam with his club team, the YMCA Portland Polar Bears, and with his high school team. He was the Maine state champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle events two years running, and also placed first at the YMCA Maine State meet and the YMCA New England Competition in the same events. He qualified and swam for the YMCA Short Course National Championships his junior and senior years.

Still his most memorable moment in swimming was when he was disqualified by his mother in the 100 breaststroke. In his defense, he says that he's really bad at breaststroke.

Doug was also very active in his school. He co-founded an Environmental Club and a paper and bottle recycling system. As a senior, he was the President of the Key Club, a student based service organization, co-captain of the Math Team, a volunteer at Natural Motion Martial Arts, Vice President of the Environmental Club, and captain of both swim teams. He was a national Merit Scholarship Recipient.