On November 23, Shannon Summers stood three meters above the Tufts University swimming pool for one of her six dives that day.
Although she would be judged against divers who had been training all season, Summers had less than a week to prepare for the meet—the sophomore had been busy helping the soccer team win the Little Eastern Conference championship.
It was the swimming and diving team’s fourth meet of the year, but Summers’s first.
Nevertheless, her score of 207.85 was enough to qualify her the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association Championship meet in February.
“I love them both, but I’d probably say I prefer soccer over diving,” Summers said. “I started diving in high school and just decided to stick with it.”
Summers said she has been playing soccer “forever,” but did not want to give up diving in college.
Portrait by Brian Cantore / Photo Editor
Now the Keene-native is in her second year of playing soccer until the season ends, followed immediately by joining the swimming and diving team.
While her soccer teammates are still basking in the big LEC victory, Summers never had a day off.
“I can imagine it being very difficult,” swimming and diving teammate Taylor DaSilva said of the transition.
“She doesn’t have much of a break. She starts preseason for soccer, goes through the season and jumps right into the dive season, which is an everyday commitment.”
The shift from soccer to diving has been made easier by the coaches of both teams.
Because Summers is from Keene, she has known both coaches for years.
“Coming in, they’ve really helped me with the transition from soccer to diving, and the both understanding of it,” Summers said. “I come in and miss a good chunk of the diving season.”
Head swimming and diving coach Jack Fabian tells Summers not to worry about diving until the soccer season has ended, allowing her to completely focus on each sport separately.
Still, Summers admits sometimes her schedule can be hectic.
“I don’t get a break, sometimes I wish I get a break but at least it keeps me on a schedule,” Summers said.
The schedule is actually remarkably consistent. Diving practice takes place at the exact same time as soccer practice, so Summers maintains the daily routine of class, practice, then the library from the beginning of the school year through March.
“Last year, my first day of not having anything to do [in the Spring] I didn’t know what to do with myself, I was lost I had so much time on my hands,” Summers remembered.
Summers described herself as determined, and her coaches make it clear they expect that from her.
“Our diving coach pushes her like I’ve never seen him push anyone because he knows that she can handle it,” diving teammate Josh Tuller said.
“She puts in the effort that he wants her to.”
Tuller admitted he couldn’t play two sports like Summers does, but said there may be some similarities between soccer and diving.
“It’s a lot of leg work, so the fact that she’s got a strong soccer background helps with the power you need to come off the board,” Tuller said.
But Summers sees more differences than similarities between the sports.
“They’re actually a lot different, soccer is such a team sport whereas diving is so much more individual,” Summer said.
But as difficult of a transition as it can be, Summers said every year it gets easier.
Her teammates are also supporting her.
“Everyone’s really welcomed her back,” DaSilva said. “She’s coming in late and working really hard.”
With a work ethic like Summers’, everyone seems convinced she will keep it up.
Zach Winn can be contacted at zwinn@keene-equinox.com
