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12/08/2016 11:00 PMAlexandra Mayo says she feels a sense of empowerment in the pool and, this fall, the Guilford freshman powered her way past many competitors during her first foray into postseason competition.
Alexandra grew up playing soccer before her mother encouraged her to test the waters with competitive swimming. Guilford doesn’t have a girls’ swim squad at the high school, although Alexandra was able to train with Branford and then represent the Indians as a team-of-one during the postseason meets.
Alexandra kicked things off with two top-10 finishes at the SCC Championship, where she placed sixth in the 100-yard freestyle and was ninth for the 500 freestyle. Then at the Class M State Championship, Alexandra earned All-State honors in a pair of events by finishing second in the 100 free with a personal-best time of 54.55 seconds and taking third for the 200 freestyle behind a school record time of 1:58.47.
“I loved the feel of the water and swimming in it. It makes me feel powerful. It was a big honor and dream to make All-State as a freshman and I’m thankful I did it,” says Alexandra, who later swam the 100 freestyle at the State Open. “At states, I warmed up and felt pretty good. The 200 free was first and I was nervous standing behind the blocks. But my teammates were all there cheering me on. I felt good the entire swim and I was really happy when I saw the final time. It gave me confidence for the 100 free, but I was still nervous. I didn’t think All-State would happen again and to get a personal-best time was great.”
Even though Alexandra felt nervous while standing at the blocks prior to her swims at states, she was able to zone out everything and solely focus on herself, the water, and her lane. It’s the typical approach for Alexandra and one that’s led her on a path toward resounding results.
“Right before each meet, I sit behind the blocks and try to focus on nothing else around me,” she says. “I block out all the noises of the pool and everyone in the stands cheering.”
Alexandra says she feels most comfortable swimming freestyles and that’s really no surprise considering her rapid ascent up state’s ranks in those events. Alexandra’s experience in the freestyle events goes all the way back to when she first started swimming.
“The freestyle is my favorite stroke. I’ve done it my whole life. Specifically, I like the sprints with the 50, 100, and 200 because I like the feeling of going fast for short amounts of time,” says Alexandra. “It’s also the first stroke I learned as a kid.”
Alexandra wasn’t able to score points for Guilford during the regular season, although she appreciates how she got to swim at the meets with Branford. Alexandra says the Hornets always make her feel like she’s right at home.
“It would be great to have a team at Guilford, but I felt so included with Branford. It didn’t feel at all like I was from Guilford,” says Alexandra. “[Branford Coach Scott Butler] and the whole program are great.”
Butler says that Alexandra made an initial impression on Branford’s athletes with her ability and continued cementing a positive reputation through her work ethic.
“Alex was welcomed into our Branford program from day one and quietly gained the respect of those around her simply because of her talent. She worked hard on every set, every workout, and did that every day,” Butler says. “Once she got acclimated to the program and the differences between high school swimming and USA Swimming, she fit right in with her peers. As a freshman athlete competing in a varsity sport, she overcame any intimidations she may have had by proving herself in the pool. Her ability from day one was never a question.”
Alexandra is beaming with confidence going forward and, with three seasons left in her high school career, she’s set some pretty big goals for her time at Guilford and beyond.
“This first season was really great. I never could’ve imagined getting All-State as a freshman. To do that, it gives me confidence going into next year,” says Alexandra, who thanks her entire family and the Branford girls’ swimming and diving program. “A goal of mine would be to make it to the Olympics, but on my club team, I want to make YMCA Nationals and get better personal-best times.”