AMY LEIB ALEXANDER,
Athletes
ForThe Love of the
Sport
These
world-classcompetitors findjoy and purpose in athletics
WRITTEN BY CINDYSCHWEICH HANDLER
Most of us enjoyed a team sport or two when we were school-aged. But for these Montclair-based athletes who’ ve medaled on the world stage, the activities they discovered as kids have helped define who they are. Here, they share what they love about their individual sports, and why working out at them never gets old.
AT HOME IN THE WATER Alexander at the Montclair YMCA;( below) at Yale
AMY LEIB ALEXANDER,
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING FOR COLLEGE COACH / SWIMMER
ATOE IN THEWATER:“ When Iwas 3, my 5 year old brother joined the summer swim club team, and Ikept jumping in the pool. At 5, I was a synchronized swimmer; my coach’ s husband trained the 8 and under swimmers at the Yale University pool 20 miles down the road, and Isubbed forone of them. I switched to speed swimming after that.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:“ At10, Iwon seven gold medals at the Conn. State Championships. As captain of the Yale Women’ s Swim Team, I set records in the 200- yard butterfly and 4x100-yardfreestyle relay. During the summer between my junior and senior years, I competed at the’ 85 Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, where Jewish swimmers representing countries from all over compete. I was elected captain of the US team, and won medals in two individual medleys – gold in the 400- meter, and silver in the 200-meter.”
CURRENT WORKOUT:“ For 15 years, I’ ve been swimming at the Montclair Y with agroup of about eight ex-collegiate swimmers. We swim about 3,000 yards in circles, then have breakfast at a local diner. We celebrate days by swimming the yardage ofour age – birthfor example, Irecently swam 5200 yards for my 52nd birthday.”
THE DRAW:“ My first lap is always butterfly likeadolphin, so Ican move likeafish. Ido all my thinking and decision-making using the rhythm of breathing in the water.”
ALEXANDER: ANNE-MARIE CARUSO; YALE PHOTO COURTESY OFAMY ALEXANDER
42 SPRING 2017 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE