Keene State Alumni Keep Owl Swimmers in Their Lane

Coming up for air between early morning and afternoon practice sessions, Chris Woolridge ’04, who was named the interim head coach of the Owl swim teams in August, and Diana Pimer ’15, who is making the transition from the pool to the deck as an assistant coach this year, reflected on the honor and pride of taking over a program that they once competed for as top four-year swimmers.

“I would have never guessed that it would end up this way, but I really love it,” said Woolridge, who is also a Keene native. “As a Keene State alum, I couldn’t be more pleased with the program’s progress, and now to be part of it as the head coach is just awesome. I care about the program. Swimming was such an important piece of my college life, and I know what kind of influence it can be. I want that experience to be as good for the kids that are now in the program.”

“I wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else,” said Pimer, a native of West Haven, CT. “I know how hard it was for me, coming close and just missing an opportunity to compete at the NCAA championships, and I don’t want to see the people I care about and respect so much go through the same thing. I want to help people accomplish their goals and it’s awesome that I can do that for Keene State swimmers.”

After pondering a stint in the service, Woolridge decided to stay close to home and attend Keene State. “Keene State seemed like a very reasonable option,” he said. “I could get an education, compete on the swim team and it wasn’t going to cost me an arm and a leg.”

Woolridge used his arms and legs to earn a combined 20 All-New England (Div. II–III) honors during his four-year Owl career. As a senior, he placed third in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races and helped set a then KSC record with a second place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay. After earning a degree in management, Woolridge was drawn to the water. “I dreamed of having a coaching career, but didn’t have the first clue how to do that,” he confessed.

Setting out to gain experience as a club coach, Woolridge made several water stops coaching around New England while concurrently returning to Keene State to work as an assistant coach under former KSC Head Coach Jack Fabian from 2006–2009. After spending three years directing a club program in Exeter, NH, Woolridge was ready to take over the Keene State program.

Although her Keene State career was hampered with injuries, Pimer was a prime competitor on Owl teams that captured four straight Little East Conference Championships and three New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving titles. Named the LEC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and Swimmer of the Year as a sophomore, the dedicated breaststroke specialist won a combined 21 championships in individual and relay events at LEC and NEISDA meets. She capped her stellar swimming career by being named KSC’s Female Athlete of the Year as a senior.

Pimer, who received her degree in exercise science last May, said Fabian groomed her to be a coach. “Jack was like my second dad. I was always helping him out with line-ups, practices and training,” she said. “He never came out and said, ‘I want you to be a coach,’ but it was something we both had in mind.”

Woolridge and Pimer take over a Keene State swim program that gained regional and national recognition the past few years under Fabian. “Jack was obviously an unbelievable coach, but I’m not worried about living up to what Jack did or trying to be like Jack,” said Woolridge. “I have a lot of confidence that we know how to make kids go fast.”

Returning All-Americans Alison Bartlett and Cole Hogg say Woolridge and Fabian are similar. “The practices and theme of the practices are just about the same, but Chris brings his own coaching style and own knowledge of swimming,” said Bartlett, who is from Exeter and trained with Woolridge’s club team during holiday breaks.

Hogg added, “They also have the same philosophy.”

“At his level, the things that we talk about are being honest with yourself, the effort you are putting in and not accepting an effort that is below what you should be giving,” said Woolridge. “Being a member of the Keene State swim team isn’t easy. But the kids who become a part of the program are committed. Aside what they are gaining swimmingwise, I think they are learning the discipline that’s going to allow them to be successful adults. And if we accomplish that—then I know we’re doing our jobs.”