My name is Chris Kermin '12 and I am a freshman at Wabash this year. I started swimming as a freshman in high school and really enjoyed it. It seems like just yesterday I was starting my senior year and my last swim season in high school. At that time I already knew I definitely wanted to swim in college and I knew that I wanted to go to a smaller school. I took a few college tours at the end of my junior year, but none that really made a big impression on me. It was a couple months into my senior year when I got a call from an old friend of mine, which was a senior at Wabash that year, telling me I should come down for a visit. I hadn’t heard much about Wabash at the time, but what I heard from him on the phone just then sounded great. So in a couple of weeks I was down at Wabash for the first time and it just felt right. I really liked the small feel of the college and the academic excellence of the school was really impressive. I also had a chance to sit through a practice and meet a couple of the guys on the swim team. I was really impressed with everything so I decided to come back later in the year for honors scholar weekend. That’s when I made my final decision to come to Wabash.

Just a few weeks ago, after what felt like a short summer of hard work, I was on my way down to Wabash filled with many different emotions. I was excited for the freedom, a little nervous, and anxious to just get started with everything. The first few days we had freshman orientation where I met many of my classmates. During this time we had many meetings of all sorts, to inform us of how we do things here at Wabash. The Monday following I had my first class and I’ve been busy ever since, with not only classes and homework, but with many fun activities. Since I’ve been here the swim team has had many get together's including cook outs, Ultimate Frisbee, and kickball. I also live in a fraternity here with four other swimmers in the house, which has been a great experience. The transition into college has been much easier than I predicted and for me, it hasn’t taken long for Wabash to feel like home.

I’ve been in the pool pretty much every day since I’ve been here and over the summer in anticipation for the start of the season, which I am really looking forward to. Already this year I’ve had some great memories with many more to come I’m sure. The year is just getting started and I know I will have to work hard in and out of the pool. This year will teach me much more than what I learn in the classrooms. It will be a fun year with many great experiences and I’m sure it will fly by.