Competing at a Division I level in swimming is incredibly rare. Just 3.3% of male high school swimmers and 4.2% of female high school swimmers earn the opportunity.
The odds of two brothers not only reaching that level, but also ending up on the same Division I team, are even slimmer.
For Robert and Toma Adam, however, the improbable has become a reality.
The brothers grew up swimming side by side in Romania. Now, after taking different paths through college swimming, they are teammates once again at Seton Hall.
Robert, a junior, transferred to SHU this year from Milligan University, and joined his older brother Toma, a senior, as a Pirate.
But long before they became collegiate swimmers, they were just two brothers learning to swim.
Robert and Toma started swimming at ages four and six, respectively, while growing up in Romania. When asked what drew them to the sport, though, the brothers had different responses.
“It all started with our mom, who was very passionate about swimming,” Robert said. “She was into swimming, and she didn't have the opportunity to do it professionally, but she got an opportunity to bring us into this sport, so she enjoys swimming through us.”
Toma, however, began swimming for health reasons.
“I was an asthma suspect, so the doctor recommended me to try swimming because it helps, and it did,” Toma said.
Before long, the Adams’ coach noticed their potential, Toma said.
“The coach was telling our parents that we're doing pretty good, so we liked it, and we kept going,” Toma said.
As the brothers got older, swimming evolved from an activity into a lifestyle. Practices started at 5:30 a.m., followed by school, lifting, another swim and homework. Despite the early mornings and demanding schedule, the brothers remember those years fondly.
“Swimming was not just coming to practice, do the practice, and leave,” Robert said. “I remember a lot of good memories. ”
But when Toma entered high school at 15, he began to question his future in the sport.
“When I was 15, I was considering quitting because I really didn't feel like doing it anymore,” Toma said. “I was not seeing the fun in it anymore. It was more draining, but it was also the mental state I was in back then.”
But there was one thing that kept him going: Robert.
“But since Robert was going and we were commuters and I didn't have my driver's license, how was I supposed to do that?” Toma said. “So because of him, I wanted to keep going. I had to keep going with it, too. And I got over it. It was just a phase, and it passed.”
Toma continued to excel throughout his high school career, eventually committing to SHU and making the difficult decision to leave Romania for college in the United States.
“When I got here, everything was different,” Toma said. “But I was integrating very well and getting used to everything quickly, and everything was a pleasure. I was so excited. I was so happy. The team was so nice. I was getting along great with everyone.”
At SHU, Toma quickly established himself.
He helped lead the Pirates to a Big East title, set a school record in the 400 freestyle in 2025 and earned a third-place finish in the 50 freestyle at the 2026 Big East Championships.
While Toma was building his career in New Jersey, Robert was taking note of his brother's success and considering whether he would follow in his brother’s footsteps and relocate to the United States.
“After he came to America, I was even more locked in to come here,” Robert said. “I was getting feedback from him, and he was telling me how it is, and I heard only good stuff. That made me even more motivated to train harder.”
Robert eventually committed to Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee, where he quickly made his own mark, finishing second in the 200 individual medley at the 2025 NAIA National Championships and fifth in the event at the 2026 championships.
For a while, the brothers had established separate lives and careers in American college swimming.
Then, just a few months ago, everything changed. Robert received an offer to swim at SHU. The opportunity meant moving from NAIA to Division I and rejoining his brother in the pool.
“Coming from NAIA to Division I, it's been a big achievement for me,” Robert said. “I know the conference is faster and the swimming team overall is faster, and I'm excited. I'm happy to see that there are people that are as fast or even faster than me. They can push me, and that's a good thing.”
Robert was also drawn to the team culture he had heard so much about from Toma.
“I know the swimming culture here is incredible,” Robert said. “The team was very excited to meet me in person, and I feel like I belong to the team and they like me as a person.”
The SHU swim and dive team began practice this week, and Robert’s arrival has been a huge talking point amongst the team.
“Our teammates were excited, and they've been asking me about him since last spring when they found out he's going to come,” Toma said. “They were so eager to meet him, and now that he's here, they keep comparing our looks. They say, ‘You guys look the same. You guys talk the same way.’ You know, everyone has their own opinion on that, and it's fun.”
For the brothers, though, being teammates again is about more than just having a familiar face around.
Robert and Toma hope their journey can help young swimmers in Romania understand both the opportunities and challenges that come with attending college in the United States.
“Everyone has their own goals they want to pursue in life, but we felt like it was our responsibility to at least let them know that here is a good way to go,” Toma said.
It's been a long time coming, but the Adams brothers are back together.
Now, with one final season together, they have their eyes on the bigger picture—and, perhaps most importantly, each other.
“I definitely enjoy watching Toma live from the pool deck, rather than on a livestream,” Robert said. “I'm even more excited being here because he's one of the people that I enjoy most watching, and I'm happiest when I see him swimming.”
William Gilhooly is an assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at william.gilhooly@student.shu.edu.
