What’s your favorite movie?

Right now I’m in love with all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I never watched them before and Lilly Madden made me watch the first one and I’ve watched them all now twice in the past three weeks.

 

Who is the best high school athlete you have competed against?

Tim Stollings. He didn’t go to an actual high school, he was home schooled but in high school he’s by far the best athlete I’ve ever competed against. He just won the Division II nationals in the 100 fly.

 

Favorite subject in school?

Physics or Aerospace.

 

Any pre-meet superstitions or rituals?

I have to brush my teeth and floss.

 

You have to go into quarantine, what three items do you make sure you have with you?

My phone, a good blanket and a good pillow.

 

What meet of your career sticks out the most?

Probably my freshman year at states. We won the team title for the first time since 2010. It was my first individual title and our medley relay team won. That meet set me up really nicely for like the next month of that freshman year. Every time I hopped in the pool I dropped another tenth off my 100 backstroke. I gained a lot of confidence in that meet and in my eyes it was kind of like my coming out party.

 

Describe Coach Grisso in one word and describe Coach Madden in one word

Coach Grisso is very analytical. She’s into the numbers of a swim meet so me and her talk about splits and everything else. Coach Madden keeps everybody grounded. To me she’s more like a Mom on the pool deck than a coach.

 

Celebrity Crush?

Natalie Portman, I was really into her when I was younger and she was in the Star Wars movies.

 

Besides swimming season still going on, what is the best part of this time of year?

I really like seeing everything start to bloom. I like it when it stays warm so I can take the top down on the jeep, it makes coming back from practice so much more fun.

 

Any secret talents that most people would be surprised to know you have?

I’ve been playing the piano since I was in third grade. It’s my escape. If I have a bad practice I will go home and go upstairs and play for like an hour.

 

Who’s the funniest swimmer on the BHS swimming team?

Marcel Rodriguez, no question.

 

If you could have theme music when you come out for an event, what song is playing?

Sometimes I want to walk out to country, sometimes it’s just something upbeat. It really depends on the day. I might play something slow and get everybody off their game.

 

Where’s one place in the world you have never been to that you would like to visit?

Machu Picchu in Peru or the Pyramids in Egypt. They are both two of the Seven Wonders of the World, I’d like to cross them off the list.

 

Favorite meal?

I really like meatloaf.

 

Favorite pro or college athlete?

Caeleb Dressel. Anything to read about Caeleb Dressel I will read up on it. Any podcast I can find with him on it, I’ll listen to it.

 

Favorite pro or college team?

Everything WVU.

 

2020 was a rough year for everybody, what’s one positive you can take from it?

You realize what you took for granted. I think everyone now appreciates they have a lot more. And it showed that you can always bounce back.

 

The coolest animal at the zoo?

If there are sharks, it has to be sharks. Anything in the water really.

 

Most memorable sports moment you have had as a fan?

The 4x100 relay in Beijing when Team USA with Jason Lezak running down the French. I think I watched it at my grandmother’s house but I probably watch that race at least once a week. I get goosebumps every time I watch it. That or Caeleb Dressel’s 100 IM world record, me and my brother were up jumping on our couch whenever he was swimming that.

 

What’s one thing it seems like everybody you know likes but you can’t stand?

TikTok. Not a big fan of TikTok. You see all the same videos on Instagram so TikTok is pointless plus it ruins all the popular songs.

 

The best thing on TV right now is?

I’m a huge Stranger Things fan.

 

What is the most important thing being an athlete at BHS has taught you?

Grades come first. If you are doing everything right in the classroom, everything outside of the classroom will take care of itself. If you put in the work, you are going to see the results. It’s a direct correlation. If you don’t work hard in the classroom or the pool, you are not going to do well in either.

 

There’s a young kid in the community just getting into swimming, what advice do you give him or her?

Don’t look at the clock at all. You have to get you technique down and that’s all you need to concern yourself with. Your speed will come when you get older.

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Keener courtesy of www.benqueenphotography.com