Grabinski brothers dive together again

One might say athleticism runs in the blood, which remains true for SJU diving brothers Jack and Eli Grabinski.

Junior, Jack Grabinski and first-year, Eli Grabinski, challenge each other to be the best versions of themselves — both on the diving board and off.

“Jack and my training styles are very similar, I would say. I can’t say for sure from the last few years [apart], but before that, since we had the same coaches and practiced together, we pretty much did it all in the same way,” Eli said.

Despite the brothers having similar training styles, it is a shock that although they have been together on the SJU dive team for a little over a semester now, neither brother has had the ability to compete with the other yet.

“I haven’t actually dived with Jack yet on the SJU team. I didn’t start until second semester, because I was out for an injury, and when I returned, he left for his study abroad in Chile for the semester,” Eli said.

Despite neither brother being able to compete at the same time as the other, they have remained cheering each other on from near and far— a tradition since the brothers’ diving career began long ago when both competed on the same Sauk Rapids high school team.

“I was on the dive team at Sauk Rapids with Jack from my seventh grade year through 10th grade,” Eli said.

Eli was prepared for what this season would consist of being on the same team as his brother again.

“I think one of the biggest benefits to diving with my brother is how much we push each other. Nothing helps make you better than a little friendly competition to keep you on your toes,” Eli said. “Jack is undoubtedly an amazing diver and having to compete with and against him at every meet is definitely a challenge.”

With Jack and Eli growing up together, it is no surprise that they find their diving skill sets to be similar to one another.

“I think Jack and I both bring pretty similar skill sets and styles to the team. We both came from a very similar diving background, with the same coaches, up until a few years ago when he started diving here at SJU. One major difference is just that Jack has been diving on the college team for over two years now, so he has a little more experience in this atmosphere and [being] on three meter than I do, since I just started in January,” Eli said.

Aspirations are high for when both brothers will finally be able to contribute both of their skill sets to the SJU swim and dive team at the same time. The brothers plan to compete with each other in the 2023 season, pushing each other to be the best divers they can be.