Newtown High School Swim Team Had International Flavor This Past Season

By Andy Hutchison

There is always some diversity in sports — from the strength, size, and skill of the athletes to their roles on their teams ... and in the case of the Newtown High School boys’ swimming team this past season, that diversity also came in the form of the nationality of the participants.

The Nighthawks welcomed foreign exchange students Arnold Geng of Germany and Belek Toktosunov of Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia) to the pool for the 2008-09 campaign. Both competed in sprint freestyle and breaststroke events and were thrilled to have an opportunity to be a part of the program.

“It’s a lot of fun — it’s a really cool team,” said Geng, who had never been part of swim team before.

“They become your family,” Toktosunov said of his Nighthawk teammates.

The adoptive swim family opportunity helped the exchange students with the transition and adjustment from being away from familiar surroundings and families.

And they exposed the team members to a new experience.

“They’re both really different people and they bring a lot to the team,” said Newtown Coach Matt Childs, adding that Geng brings a strong sense of humor and Toktosunov has a more serious personality.

Geng happens to stay with the family of one of his teammates, Nate Crevier. “It’s good that we share interests. It gives us things to talk about at home,” Crevier said.

Both exchange students said they have learned a lot about the differences and similarities in the cultures between the United States and their respective countries. Geng said that learning about a country is one thing and going to visit and being exposed to it is another.

“Being here changes your outlook and understanding,” Geng said. “I think way better about Americans.”

“Also, you bring your culture to the Americans,” Toktosunov added.

Both students have been able to share their languages with their English-speaking peers and teammates. Geng speaks German and Toktosunov Russian. Actually, Geng was born in Russia so both exchange students speak fluent Russian. And they both speak English well, making the adjustment for this school year abroad that much easier.

Geng comes from the large city of Hannover and has become accustomed to rural life and relying on car rides rather than public transportation here in town. The exchange students also got to experience the excitement of the election of President Barack Obama.

The advantage to being exposed to new settings and visiting a foreign country, the exchange students say, is that it broadens their horizons.

“You’re open-minded if you see more countries,” Geng said.

“Their enthusiasm is great,” Childs added.