Eva Fabian is all smiles after her race

01/12/10

She’s one of the up-and-coming stars. Eva Fabian started by making the National Open Water Team (2007-2008), went to the National Junior Team (2008-2009) and is on the 2009-2010 National Team. She talks about her rise through the open water ranks, and one of the things a typical 16-year-old does that she does not do, in this week’s 20 Question Tuesday.

1) You went on a trip to Chile to do an exhibition swim – what was that like?
Eva: It was really fun. It was really cold where we were for most of the trip, so that was not a big change from where I am now (home in New Hampshire). But it was warm in Santiago.

2) What was the race itself like in Chile?
Eva: That race was a lot of fun. I got to race the boys in some of the races so it was really good experience racing against bigger, faster and stronger swimmers.

3) What was your breakout year – last year, making Worlds, or before that?
Eva: I think my biggest improvements were the year I made the National Junior Team for Open water. I dropped a lot of time in my mile. In open water, I started doing better, because the more you race, the more you improve. Once you get the ball rolling for open water, it’s more and more fun.

4) How much does it mean to you to make the Junior team or the National team?
Eva: It was so exciting to make each team. It’s such an honor to be a part of USA Swimming. Every time you put on a USA shirt or outfit and you are part of the team, it’s such an honor. I would trade nothing for it.

5) So you turned 16 at the end of last summer, are you safe on the roads?
Eva: I have not been able to get my driver’s license yet because I have not had enough time to get one. Besides, my brother drives me everywhere!

6) Isn’t your brother, Max, a pretty good swimmer?
Eva: He is. And he’s improving at an incredible rate. When I was younger, maybe 12, I could beat him. But he is now a lot faster than me – he has the bragging rights now.

7) What was it like in Florida at World Team (Open Water) Trials?
Eva: World Trials was a really tough race. The water was really hot, and I had not expected that – but I did get there two days earlier, so I had time to work out in it. The competition was fierce. I expected it to be tough. I just wanted to make the National Team. Making the World Team was a big thing for me. I finished second and was in such disbelief to make the National Team, too.

8) What is that feeling like once you realize you made the team?
Eva: It’s almost like you are floating on a cloud. I was just so happy. To think I would be going to Rome. Looking at my teammates on the National Team, I could tell they were happy too. It was an amazing feeling.

9) Was that long Rome trip a big adjustment for you?
Eva: The only meets I had really traveled to were the Junior Team meets, so I knew what it was like to be on the long flight. International competitions are different, because they are all tough, and all fast. It was the first international race for a lot of us on the National Team (open water) and we will use that in the future.

10) What was it like to be around the U.S. World team and what was a swim that impressed you?
Eva: We had to travel out a day before the team because the open water was in Ostia, Italy. So we got to see them on the last day, which was unbelievable. I remember watching Ariana Kukors’ 200 IM – that was incredible.
 
11) Is the World race different than other races just because the World’s best are all there?
Eva: Basically, that’s what it is. It’s more physical because of the shear amount of swimmers in the race. The pace was definitely faster, but the hardest part was the amount of strategy and the mental tricks they do. They change the pace a lot, and the physical part you have to get used to

12) So you are 5-1 – how does that work in the open water jostling?
Eva: I am now 5-3 and I cracked 100 pounds! It might be harder because I am smaller, but it’s also an advantage because I can fit into smaller spaces that others would find uncomfortable. SO I can find my way out of traffic jams.

13) What do you do to relax?
Eva: I play the violin and that is relaxing – well it’s tough, not always relaxing. I’m in a local orchestra and I love the people who I play in it with. It is such a rewarding experience because you, like swimming, see your reward from what you put into it. It’s hard to learn a music piece – that takes a long time because you have to balance the musical and technical aspects of it. Playing with other people is so amazing, because they are incredible people. Being in an orchestra is one of my favorite things on earth.

14) What’s it like having your father, Jack Fabian, coach your club team?
Eva: He’s been my coach all my life. He’s an amazing coach because he reads up a lot on it, and I think having his Ph.D. in science has helped parts. Me and my teammates all love him. He’s funny on the pool deck. He’s always there to help us along. I would have it no other way – him being my coach has been a great experience for both of us.

15) Did you get into swimming with the goal of making it this far?
Eva: I think every swimmer who starts off in USA Swimming sees the highlight reel and wants to be an Olympian. So I just wanted to see how far I could go. But when I made open water, things changed for me and my goal became making a National Team. I realized after making the Junior Team, this is my next step, and we focused on open water from there.

16) How cold are your winters?
Eva: New Hampshire winters get cold, but there are other parts of the country that are colder so I don’t want to whine about it because I know others have it colder. But some mornings for practice it is minus 14 outside and it’s a cold walk out to the car – which does not always start! Plus, my Mom keeps the house cold to save money, so I am (laughs) used to it. We wear hats and coats and gloves (laughs) around the house.

17) In addition to the 10k, what about doing the 25K swim – how amazing was that and does your mind ever wander in a race that long?
Eva: I think I was in a little shock before I did it, because I was not planning on doing that, and I had seen how tough the people are who do that event! You are really thinking the whole race, staying with the pack so you don’t get dropped, and thinking the entire time. Emily Hansen, my teammate, and I stayed pretty much close together the whole race. Both of the Emilys (Hansen and Brunemann) were so wonderful to me. They are in college, and I’m just in high school, but they made me a part of the team. They really made the trip enjoyable.

18) So your father is a Ph.D. and your Mom is a medical doctor – good thing you’re saving heat! But seriously, education is important in that house isn’t it?
Eva: Our house is still 55 degrees (laughs) right now.  But yes, they value education, and I see that in their example every day. Having my parents, one being a doctor and the other a Ph.D., really helped me along. That shows me to just push through the academic work and work harder. I’m not sure what I will major in, in college. I am looking forward to continue my schooling. It’s really fun.

19) What did you do for New Year’s and what do you expect for the rest of 2010?
Eva: We were in training for New Year’s. We usually have a neighborhood New Year’s party at someone’s house. The last three years I had missed that because I was sick. I was looking forward to do that this year, but I didn’t get to go because I was swimming! I think 2010 will involve me working hard, very hard, and hoping to make the National Team again. I want to keep advancing in USA Swimming, and getting more experience in open water swimming.

20) What does swimming teach you about yourself?
Eva: Swimming has really taught me how tough I can be. Growing up, I had to race my brother in everything, which was really fun. It taught me to set goals, and to achieve them. Swimming is a good indication of the kind of character you have, and I have learned a lot about who I am.