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