KEENE, N.H. – Keene State or UConn? Not too many Keene State College athletes can say their final two school choices came down to Division I UConn and Division III Keene State, but that's exactly the decision Jared Hyde faced after graduating from Tolland High School in Connecticut.

Hyde, a talented swimmer and Tolland native, was very familiar with the UConn coaching staff and facilities, as he'd competed for the University Aquatic Club based on the Storrs campus. But he decided to go the unfamiliar route and attend Keene State.

"I grew up always being at the UConn pool and knew the coaches pretty well, but once I met Coach Jack Fabian and saw the Keene State campus, I knew I'd found the right place for me," said Hyde. "I liked the fact that the team was like a family."

Now a senior at Keene State, Hyde has no regrets. He's far surpassed his swimming expectations, earning All-America honors while setting several school records. Hyde will be seeking to complete his college career in style when he and six of his teammates compete at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships that take place March 19-22 in Indianapolis.

Hyde, who will be making his fourth trip to the nationals, will race in a combined five events at the meet, including the 200 individual medley and four relays. "I never made the NCAAs in an individual event, so I'm really excited about that," he said. "That was one of my goals the past four years."

A natural athlete, Hyde tried his hand at several sports growing up before deciding to concentrate on swimming. The hardest to give up was baseball, which he played through his senior year at Tolland High. "Baseball was my passion growing up," said Hyde, who earned All-Conference honors his senior year pitching for the Eagles.

But as much as he could bring it on the mound, he could also fly in the pool. A four- year member of the combined Tolland /E.O. Smith High swim team, Hyde was a three-time qualifier to the Connecticut Open Meet, placing fourth in the 200 I.M. as a senior and earning All-State and honorable mention All-America honors.

Fabian knew he'd reeled in a big fish when Hyde decided to come to Keene State. "Jared is one of the most talented swimmers I've ever coached. And I've been fortunate to coach some real good swimmers," said Fabian, KSC's eight-year coach. "We were really fortunate to get him. He's the kind of kid you need if you want to have real success at the NCAA Championships."

Hyde, who has captured nine individual titles and been a member of 12 winning relay teams at the New England championships, has shined in the biggest pool – the NCAA Championships. After coming up short as a sophomore, he anchored the Owls' 200 and 800 freestyle relays, which placed eighth and fourth respectively to earn All-America honors last year. "It was awesome because freshman and sophomore years we were right on the edge and finally broke through," said Hyde.

Hyde has never hid from one of the toughest events at the NCAA championships, competing in the tough and highly competitive 200 I.M. The race showcases swimmers' versatility by doing two laps each of the butterfly, breast, back, and freestyle strokes. "It's extremely difficult because you have to be outstanding in all four strokes," said Fabian. "It just shows the range of Jared's talents."

As much as Hyde is looking forward to racing in the 200 I.M., he has always had a special place in his heart for the relay races. "I love the team aspect of the relays and the fact that you have three other guys you have to depend on to get the job done," he said. "You have trust in those guys that they put the training in just as much as you have to perform to a high level. It's just a different atmosphere."

The Owls, who finished 11th at last year's championships, will be looking to move up in the team standings at the meet held on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus. "I think we can get top 8," said Hyde. "We have seven guys this year. I'm doing an individual event and I'm a lot faster this year."

Hyde said he has mixed emotions as he gets ready for the last few races of his college career. "I've been swimming for 16 years and it's all coming to an end now. I'm excited, but I think it's going to be a little sad when it's done and I realize that it's over," he said.

It wasn't always smooth sailing for Hyde. Ironically, Hyde's college swimming career almost went aground when he couldn't get used to jumping in the water for two-a-day practices. "I almost quit my freshman year, but I'm glad I didn't," said Hyde. "I said to myself I've been doing it my entire life – why stop now? And it was the best decision I ever made. I'm happy that I stuck with it."