By Shelby Iava, Swimming World Intern
When you talk to individuals on a team they’re typically from states away. But when you talk to the Keene State swimming and diving team, they’re from across the seas.
The Keene State men’s swimming and diving team has swimmers from both Israel and Australia. Although they are quite a distance from their families, they have both made unbelievable bonds with teammates to make their adjustment just a little bit easier.
From A Land Down Under
Christopher Deegan, an incoming freshman this past school year, is from Adelaide, South Australia, which is precisely 10,718 miles from Keene State College.
“It was definitely a reality shock when I first arrived here,” Deegan said. “But my new friends or ‘mates’ have really made this the best experience,” he continued.
Deegan swims the 500 freestyle, 1650 freestyle, and numerous open water events. Recently, Deegan participated in the 10 km open water race at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series in Perth, Australia. He competed against many Olympians from all over the world including America, Japan, England, Canada, New Zealand, and many more.
Although it seemed Deegan was getting comfortable with the idea of living thousands of miles away from home, things did get tough.
“Leaving my family and friends for the opposite side of the world knowing no people at all was probably the hardest thing ever, not many people leave Adelaide really,” Deegan said. The summer was the toughest part for Deegan. “It was rough, but Jack Fabian and Eva Fabian were crucial. They were very good to me, and then when everyone arrived on campus the team pretty much took me in with open arms,” Deegan said.
All in all Deegan couldn’t be happier with the choice he made by coming to Keene State College.
“Having friends around takes your mind off the homesickness, but I would still find it hard when I was alone thinking of home. Still, I always knew why I was here,” Deegan said.
Out of Israel
Photo Courtesy: Hayley Good
Even though they share similar stories, senior Shahar Resman traveled a different path to reach KSC. He has spent two and a half years so far at Keene State since December 2012. After three years of being in the Israeli Army, he packed up his stuff and traveled across the world the Keene, N.H. from Ashdod, Israel.
In the earlier years before he came to Keene, Resman was apart of Israel’s open water national team. Keene State’s head coach Jack Fabian had met Resman at a World Cup open water event in Argentina while coaching his daughter Eva Fabian.
While investigating the conditions of the Rio Nero River with his daughter, an event organizer asked if he could take the Israeli swimmer along. Coach Fabian and Resman forged a bond.
Being halfway around the world can be tough.
“It was very difficult being away from family, I have such a strong bond with my parents, but I know that in the end of the road it will all pay off,” Resman said. Although it was difficult Resman said that the swim team has had a huge impact.
“The people and my friends are my favorite things about Keene,” Resman said.
Adding to KSC’s Dynamic
Cole Hogg, a rising senior on the Keene State team, said the team feels the same way.
“I think they each blend with the team very well but in different ways,” Hogg said. “Shahar blends with the team by being the person who always puts in that extra effort and and we all respect him for it. Deegan will put in that extra work as well, but he fits in with the team dynamic by being a goofy, funny Australian guy.”
“These two bring so much to the team,” sophomore teammate Robert McDowell added. “Each of them excels in the pool, being our top two male distance swimmers. But aside from swimming accolades, they bring motivation and personality. They both aim to push others in the pool because they are such hard workers.”
Resman wants the best he can get for his future.
“There are not many people in the world who have left their country and leave everything for fulfilling their dream, so I think the fact that I know more than three languages and I have seen many different cultures will give me a little push for my next step in life,” Resman said. “I just hope for the good and if everything I know will not help me in the future I will work harder to make it happen.”