Keswick was born on 3 March 1970 in Washington, DC. The son of an Air Force sergeant, Keswick moved around as a child. He considers Las Vegas his home town.
Keswick first became interested in gymnastics when he was seven-years old and living in Iran while his father was stationed there.[3] He was instructed on trampoline by local coaches (few Iranians were gymnasts). They noticed his talent and suggested he train for the sport when he returned to the United States.
Keswick participated in the 1985 Junior Olympics and earned a bronze in the all-around, along with a gold on parallel bars and a silver on vault. At the 1987 Junior Olympics he moved up to win gold in the all-around, along with golds on still rings, vault, and parallel bars, as well as a bronze on floor.
Keswick competed for UCLA from 1988 to 1992, earning eight all-Americans. He overlapped with teammate Chris Waller, who was also in the 1992 Olympics, for his first two years. As a freshman, Keswick won the Nissen Award.
