Kyle Pfaffenberger never expected to swim at the collegiate level — until he received an unexpected phone call one evening.
On the line was Hanover College: They wanted Pfaffenberger on next year’s roster.
Already considering Hanover for its Environmental Science program, the Seymour High School senior took little time to make his decision.
On Friday, Pfaffenberger signed a letter of intent to swim with the Panthers.
Everything came together in rapid succession for Pfaffenberger.
“The coach at Hanover contacted Dave (Boggs, Seymour coach) and said he wanted to meet with me,” Pfaffenberger said.”I got a call one night and he told me all the opportunities. I never realized how much opportunity there was in college academically and swimming collegiate. It was a great surprise.”
Pfaffenberger will be a part of a unique situation at Hanover.
After a 40-year absence on campus, the swimming teams will return to Hanover’s athletics department next school year.
Through a cooperative agreement with nearby Southwestern High School, the Panthers will use the high school’s facility for practices and competition.
Southwestern features a six-lane, 25-meter pool with Paddock Pools starting platforms, a Colorado Time System with a six-lane readout board and bleacher seating for fans, according to Hanover’s website.
Hanover, an NCAA Division III school, is the sixth member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference to support aquatic teams, joining Anderson University, Franklin College, Manchester University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Transylvania University.
“When the coach told me they haven’t had a program in 40 years, I thought, Really? That’s amazing,’” Pfaffenberger said. “When I start, it will be the inaugural year. I’m kind of dumbfounded at how cool it will be to be a part of something new. It’s not every day that you get an opportunity like that.”
While he has competed in multiple events, Pfaffenberger mostly swam the individual medley and breaststroke his senior year. In his final race, at sectional, Pfaffenberger swam the 200 IM in 2 minutes, 13 seconds, and the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.87, for a pair of lifetime best times.
“They’re getting a great kid,” Boggs said. “He’s a hard-worker with a great attitude. He works hard every day in practice and is concerned about his teammates. He’s a very energetic, positive person.
“He has grown so much since his freshman year. He has more confidence in himself and his abilities as both a student and athlete.”
Pfaffenberger credited the Seymour coaching staff with pushing him to become a better swimmer.
“Dave (Boggs) has always pushed and believed in me,” Pfaffenberger said. “I never wanted to let him down. I wanted to join swimming in eighth grade because I was a chunky little kid, and I wanted to get in shape and be a better person. I’ve become a great leader and learned a lot of discipline from swimming. To continue swimming is a great honor and I think all my coaches have prepared me.”