Even though the East Coast of the United States was a 20-plus hour flight from New Zealand, Joseph Stewart knew that was where he wanted to continue his education both as a student in the classroom and as a competitor in the pool. The only problem for the swimmer was he was unsure which school would be the perfect fit.

              Unable to jump on a plane for a campus visit, Stewart, a native of Wellington, New Zealand, went the way that so many high school student-athletes did over the last 18 months. He turned to technology and the outreach of Zoom. And it was those zoom meetings that turned him toward Fairfield University.

              "I did many zoom calls with (Head Coach) Tony (Bruno)," Stewart said. "After those calls, it became obvious to me that Fairfield was a serious interest for me. On one of those calls, he asked if I wanted to meet a few of the student-athletes so I said sure."

              It was that chance meeting that swayed Stewart toward the Nutmeg State as Peter Gori, Pat Boyle, and Evan Fair jumped on the call and began to chat with him. What was expected to be a brief conversation turned into a three-hour marathon.

              "I really expected to just ask questions about the school and program for maybe 20 or 30 minutes," Stewart said. "But after I asked my questions, they asked me questions about New Zealand and what part of the country I was from which was nice."

              That conversation was the tipping point for Stewart who was also considering other Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schools. He had done extensive research and found that Fairfield checked off most everything on his list in terms of academics and location along with campus aesthetics. Still, it was the camaraderie he built during that call that made the decision for him.

              "I didn't visit Fairfield but did extensive research so I knew about their academics and what the campus looked like," Stewart said. "The biggest factor for me was talking with the members of the team. It was nice because it seemed like I was getting advice from older brothers."

              Stewart's arrival has not disappointed the coaching staff or his teammates as he has started his collegiate career successfully, including a MAAC Swimmer of the Week award and a record-setting performance in the 800 free (8:31.18).

              "I have a tendency to do well in that event (800 free)," Stewart said. "That was the event that I set my first record as well in New Zealand. I have a lot of pride in that race. The 800 is that sweet spot between the longer races and the sprints."

              The 800 free was also the event in which he won his first medal as a swimmer with a third-place finish.

              "I always wanted to be on that podium," Stewart said. "I remember that day well. It was something that I desired as a swimmer so it was exciting to be able to accomplish it."

              That medal culminated what Stewart deemed his best year as a swimmer, turning those early days of learning how to be a competitor in the pool into a medal moment.

              "I was never talented as a little kid so I was one of those kids who always filled the outside lanes," Stewart said. "But I just loved it and it was good fun. After I turned 15, I started to realize that I was catching up with people and I became noticeably quicker. So, I went from winning that first medal to competing in the Australia States Team Championships in one year. During that time, I realized that I loved the sport so much that I just put more passion into it. At first, there were always people that I wanted to beat. Later on, I became someone that they wanted to beat."

              Most of that learning experience came as a member of the Pirates Swim Club under the coaching of Steve Francis. He credits Coach Francis with his development in the water.

              "In New Zealand, you don't really have high school teams so you train with your club and within the club you have different squads," Stewart said. "I started with one club but it shut down so it was divided into two clubs. I stayed with Coach Francis and was with him a really long time. I worked my way up to the top squad when I was about 13 years old."

              Now, Stewart looks to that same experience and process as a member of the Stags swimming team.

              "Coming over here, there are more people that are good as swimmers so I feel like that I am working my way back up," Stewart said. "But I love that because I can compete once again to be at the top."

              Stewart has already put forth a good start to that goal, winning three times in a team victory against Providence (800 free, 200 free and 400 free) in addition to touching the wall first in the 200 free and as part of the 200 free relay in a win against Holy Cross.

              While Stewart seems to be meeting the challenges of being a rookie student-athlete, he must also face obstacles outside of the pool, beginning with the weather.

              "I live near the strait where there is a lot of wind that comes through so I am used to wind chills," Stewart said. "But I am not familiar with it being so genuinely cold all the time. I don't think I am ready for January or February. I have been warned so I guess I have to stop wearing shorts apparently."

              A piece of brotherly advice he gladly accepts in person rather than through a computer screen.