From Portsmouth High School to the U.S Naval Academy: Max Durkin reaches goal

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth High School senior Max Durkin set a personal goal for himself when he was in middle school.

The dream was to join the United States Naval Academy. For Durkin, a three-sport, honor roll student-athlete, that dream came true when he recently learned of his acceptance to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

"I kind of fell in love with the Navy, the tradition and everything that's kind of built into the campus," said Durkin, who plays football and hockey and competes in track at Portsmouth. "After (I visited), I started looking more into it, and I realized (the Navy) was a pretty good fit for what I want to do and where I want to be. So that's when I kind of decided (I wanted to apply) and I've been pushing for it ever since. I finally made it."

"I cannot be any prouder (of Max)," Portsmouth/Newmarket boys hockey head coach Joel Brown said. "This young man set this goal a long time ago ... it's a super accomplishment."

Brown said everyone who applies to the Navy is a top-notch student, athlete and all-around good person, and "Max is that person."

Durkin also looked into applying to the Air Force Academy, but changed his mind, and turned his attention squarely to the Navy.

"I just wanted to try to build my application as best as I could to give me the best chance of getting in (the Navy)" Durkin said. "I explored a little bit, but I found out the Navy ended up being the best for me anyway, so I didn't really need to look anywhere else."

Portsmouth High School athletic director Tom Kozikowski said Durkin has been a great leader and a fierce competitor as a three-sport scholar athlete at Portsmouth.

"Don't be fooled by his playful demeanor though because he has an incredible work ethic and is very deserving of this honor," Kozikowski said. "As a student-athlete, Max plays with an incredible amount of sportsmanship, passion and respect, and leads by example in the classroom and on the playing field. I am so lucky to have watched Max Durkin grow into the person he is today. Clipper Pride will definitely be shining at Annapolis this July."

A long process pays off

One of the requirements of the lenghty application process to the Naval Academy is to get a nomination from a United States senator or congressperson. Applicants can reach out to senators and the congressmen from their home state.

Durkin requested a nomination from both of New Hampshire's U.S. senators — Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Chris Pappas. All three said yes, and nominated Durkin.

"Getting all three was a big deal," Durkin said. "(All the nominations) kind of came one after the other, but it was pretty close to each other once I started (hearing back). It was early December when I received my first one, and the others started coming in the next week or two. I had all three within two weeks."

With no way to tell your chances of being accepted into the Naval Academy, Durkin felt better about his chances once he got the three nominations.

"I was obviously nervous because (getting in) is highly competitive," Durkin said. "I wasn't sure really where I was. I felt pretty prepared, but I wasn't really sure until I heard back from those (three). Once I got all three, I was like 'OK, I'm really up there in terms of preparedness, my resume and fit for the Academy.'"

What also helps is having the right connections, and Durkin had one as his father grew up with: Chris Mahoney, a United States Marine Corps general.

"(General Mahoney) was able to write me a letter of recommendation which was probably a big help, too," Durkin said. "Having a connection like that will definitely boost you up."

Durkin's plans starting in June

Durkin, after graduating from Portsmouth in early June, will prepare for the Navy's Induction Day on June 27. This is when Durkin will get his uniform and begin his Navy career.

"It is a pretty tough course that I'm trying to track and it's definitely going to challenge me in a lot of ways," he said. "But, that's honestly part of the excitement for me. I'm looking forward to that challenge, and I'm looking forward to proving myself. I think there's a lot of room to grow. (The Navy) does a good job of preparing you for everything you need to do in life and in the military, so I'm excited mostly."

Durkin hopes to study engineering after, like all cadets, taking general courses in his first year.

"It kind of depends on how well you do," Durkin said. "If I do well enough, then I can get into the engineering process ... but it's very competitive, it's one of the top engineering schools in the country."

Durkin, who is working on obtaining his private pilot's license, also has his sights set on being a Naval aviator.

"That's my dream, to fly for the Navy," Durkin said. "Hopefully, I'll be flying, and be a good leader."

Durkin first dreamt of flying in the sixth grade, and typically has flown once or twice a week with CHI Aerospace at Pease.

"I'm hoping to get back into (flying) this spring," Durkin said. "Our track coach is a little more lenient with the schedule as long as we're putting in the work. I'm hoping to get in (at CHI Aerospace) a lot more this spring, and get my private pilot's license before I have to leave."

Teammates chime in

Whether it be with football, hockey or track, Durkin has inspired many of his teammates over the years.

"I've been in classes with (Max), and he's always been a great student," said Cal Rothstein, who plays hockey with Durkin. "He's just that kind of kid who isn't going to stop until he gets what he wants."

"I know he wanted to (get into the Navy) since a young age," said Patrick Slover, another hockey teammate. "I remember one year he was going to ROTC every morning right before school. It's just really impressive to see how much he put in over the years to be a really well-rounded person."

Rothstein called Durkin the best teammate "anyone could ever ask for."

"He's there every single time if we have a game, injured or not," Rothstein said. "I've known him since he moved to the area. He's just always been such a good kid, always smiling and happy to be around."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth High athlete Max Durkin accepted into Naval Academy