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11/28/2018 11:00 PMAlex Mayo ventured into uncharted waters by trying some different events in order to expand her skill set and help out the Guilford girls’ swimming and diving team this year. Alex achieved tremendous success in each of her new events and wound up putting together a record-setting season for the Indians.
Alex, a junior, has been a competitive swimmer since she was 10. Last year, she joined the girls’ swim team at Guilford High School for its inaugural campaign. After having competed in the 100 and 200 freestyles, Alex took on the challenge of swimming the 200 individual medley (IM) and the 500 freestyle during the recent season.
After finishing fourth in the 200 IM and sixth in the 500 at the SCC Championship, Alex broke her own school records while swimming personal-best times in both events at the Class L State Championship. Alex swam a time of 2:11.21 to finish fifth in the 200 IM, in addition to posting a time of 5:11.91 in the 500 for a 10th-place performance. She qualified for State Open Championship in each event.
“My teammates and coaches supporting me in everything has helped, and I keep working hard when things get tough, and look to keep getting better,” says Alex, who also swims for the Branford Soundview YMCA Stingrays. “Doing the IM and 500 free was an adjustment, but I knew I would get good competition...I was happy with my time in the 200 IM. I had to pace myself for the 500 free, but I saw my team on the other side of the pool, which helped me. It was great to set the records and have everyone there to celebrate with me.”
Alex’s love for her club motivated her to try out the 200 IM and the 500 freestyle this fall. It means a lot to Alex that she’s able to produce points for the Indians in a multitude of events.
“For my freshman year, I mainly focused on freestyling, and then I tried to develop other strokes over time and working on the little things,” Alex says. “I wanted to be able to help the team by doing more with different events.”
While Alex made a splash in her new events, she still likes swimming the 100 butterfly, another event in which she set the school record this season. Alex also holds Guilford’s school record for the 200 freestyle.
“I love the freestyle events, but I also like doing the 100 butterfly,” says Alex. “I like the butterfly, because that event is shorter, and you actually get to breathe during [the race]. I also love pulling the water.”
Indians’ assistant coach Linda LePeak says that Alex has the ability to master practically every event. She adds that Alex’s attitude and work ethic make her a coach’s dream, as well as an ideal teammate.
“Alex is an extremely talented swimmer who is versatile in many facets of racing. She can race the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle. She is excellent for individual medley. She has an excellent breaststroke and butterfly and solid backstroke, along with her freestyle,” says LePeak. “Alex is a natural team leader and an extremely hard worker. She is joy to coach and even a greater joy to be with.”
The Guilford girls’ swimming and diving team is still in its infancy, but Alex feels that makes competing for the Indians a special experience. Alex likes that she’s one of the athletes who gets to help Guilford create its reputation in the pool.
“This was only our second year, but we’ve been able to push through, and have a lot of team chemistry and mesh well together,” says Alex. “It’s great to see the different levels of talent and experience everyone has and to see the seniors mentoring the freshmen. We get to make our own tradition here, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”