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Alex Henley Final Profile

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Jacqueline Edelman
Jacqueline Edelman

1) Alex Henley is a junior swimmer at UC San Diego who wakes up at 5:15am daily to swim in order to balance her difficult physiology major, grueling swim practice schedule, and aspirations of competing in the Olympics. 2) As one of UCSD's top swimmers who holds several individual school records, she excels in many swimming events but prefers to swim what her team needs to succeed rather than just her favorites. 3) While very accomplished individually as a champion swimmer in high school and college, her proudest moment was winning the conference championship with her UCSD team despite being rivals with Loyola Marymount University.

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UC San Diego Standout Swimmer Alex Henley Balances School, Swimming and Olympic Aspirations By Jacqueline Edelman Its 5:15 a.m. and Alexandra Henley, Alex for short, is waking up to her alarm clock and leaving her warm bed in order to dive into a cold pool. While her classmates struggle to maintain school work and a social life, Henleys juggling a difficult major (Physiology and Neuroscience) and a grueling practice schedule. And while the average student dreams of graduation, Henleys dreams are a bit bigger Olympic even. The Triton junior who was voted female Swimmer of the Year last season following a stellar performance at the NCAA Division II National Championships where she took first in the 400 IM and 200 butterfly in school record times of 4:18:71 and 2:00:30, is more at home in the pool than anywhere else and for good reason. Swimming since the age of seven, what started as an excuse to hang out with her friends all summer long has evolved into a true love for the sport. Still, the now 20-year-old, who despite her numerous accomplishments, didnt realize her full potential until she spent a year swimming under the guidance of UCSDs Head Swim Coach, Scott McGihon. Alex is an amazing swimmer who can literally go any distance and swim any stroke at an elite level, said McGihon. She refuses to be beat by anyone, even the clock. Already the owner of six individual school records, McGihon believes she could have more but, she just never gets the opportunity to swim them [other events]. Over the past two years Henley has shown her versatility as a swimmer. And while she excels in the 400 individual medley (IM) and the 200 backstroke, theyre not her favorites. But as the quintessential team player, she swims whats necessary. Im passionate about this sport, says Henley, as well as my team and all my teammates success. In fact, the highlight of Henleys illustrious swimming career is not what one might expect from someone who has achieved as much individual recognition as she has. Winning conference last year by six points against our rival LMU (Loyola Marymount University), is what stands out in her mind. As for her own success, Henleys list of achievements speak loud and clear although shes not one to boast. She was the Marmonte League Champion and school record- holder in multiple events while swimming at Thousand Oaks High School in California where she grew up. And as UCSDs top female recruit in 2008, she not only placed in the top six for every individual event she swam at Nationals, but received All-Conference
and All-American accolades as well, earning her the title of UCSDs Newcomer of the Year. In part, McGihon attributes her freshman performance to much of Alexs growth. I think that was definitely an eye-opening experience, he said. More than anything, it helped her to mature and gain great confidence and belief in herself. Henley agrees, It was then that I realized I was capable of a lot more than I had ever thought. Perhaps even capable of making it to Olympic Trials. Henleys sheer talent has already taken her to the top, but an unwavering work ethic helps too. She puts in 19 hours a week with her team practicing twice a day most days, and an additional six hours voluntarily on her own. Shes a living example of results through training and sacrifice, said McGihon And yet her tenacity in the pool is only matched by her academic endeavors. Although Henley is more reserved on dry land, her ambition and methodical nature are apparent in her chosen course of study Physiology and Neuroscience. I think the human body is a very interesting subject, explained Henley, who would like to one day combine her love of athletics with her proclivity for science. Having chosen UCSD for both its athletic reputation and its top-ranked biological science department, Henley is currently taking a heavy course load that often puts her on campus from 5:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is a lot of preparation that goes on when I leave my apartment in the morning I have to pack a lot of food, she joked. And I take a nap every chance I get. Balancing school, practice and meets, Henley manages to do so as effortlessly as she swims. But even the best have their moments. I try to take things one at a time and sometimes I just need to get through the day before I can worry about anything in the near of far future, she said. I still get stressed sometimes. Thats when it becomes important to just take a deep breath and prioritize. However, as for the Olympics though, she shouldnt worry too much. McGihon predicts, Alex will definitely compete at the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials.
Alex Henley Final Profile

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Alex Henley Final Profile

  • 1. UC San Diego Standout Swimmer Alex Henley Balances School, Swimming and Olympic Aspirations By Jacqueline Edelman Its 5:15 a.m. and Alexandra Henley, Alex for short, is waking up to her alarm clock and leaving her warm bed in order to dive into a cold pool. While her classmates struggle to maintain school work and a social life, Henleys juggling a difficult major (Physiology and Neuroscience) and a grueling practice schedule. And while the average student dreams of graduation, Henleys dreams are a bit bigger Olympic even. The Triton junior who was voted female Swimmer of the Year last season following a stellar performance at the NCAA Division II National Championships where she took first in the 400 IM and 200 butterfly in school record times of 4:18:71 and 2:00:30, is more at home in the pool than anywhere else and for good reason. Swimming since the age of seven, what started as an excuse to hang out with her friends all summer long has evolved into a true love for the sport. Still, the now 20-year-old, who despite her numerous accomplishments, didnt realize her full potential until she spent a year swimming under the guidance of UCSDs Head Swim Coach, Scott McGihon. Alex is an amazing swimmer who can literally go any distance and swim any stroke at an elite level, said McGihon. She refuses to be beat by anyone, even the clock. Already the owner of six individual school records, McGihon believes she could have more but, she just never gets the opportunity to swim them [other events]. Over the past two years Henley has shown her versatility as a swimmer. And while she excels in the 400 individual medley (IM) and the 200 backstroke, theyre not her favorites. But as the quintessential team player, she swims whats necessary. Im passionate about this sport, says Henley, as well as my team and all my teammates success. In fact, the highlight of Henleys illustrious swimming career is not what one might expect from someone who has achieved as much individual recognition as she has. Winning conference last year by six points against our rival LMU (Loyola Marymount University), is what stands out in her mind. As for her own success, Henleys list of achievements speak loud and clear although shes not one to boast. She was the Marmonte League Champion and school record- holder in multiple events while swimming at Thousand Oaks High School in California where she grew up. And as UCSDs top female recruit in 2008, she not only placed in the top six for every individual event she swam at Nationals, but received All-Conference
  • 2. and All-American accolades as well, earning her the title of UCSDs Newcomer of the Year. In part, McGihon attributes her freshman performance to much of Alexs growth. I think that was definitely an eye-opening experience, he said. More than anything, it helped her to mature and gain great confidence and belief in herself. Henley agrees, It was then that I realized I was capable of a lot more than I had ever thought. Perhaps even capable of making it to Olympic Trials. Henleys sheer talent has already taken her to the top, but an unwavering work ethic helps too. She puts in 19 hours a week with her team practicing twice a day most days, and an additional six hours voluntarily on her own. Shes a living example of results through training and sacrifice, said McGihon And yet her tenacity in the pool is only matched by her academic endeavors. Although Henley is more reserved on dry land, her ambition and methodical nature are apparent in her chosen course of study Physiology and Neuroscience. I think the human body is a very interesting subject, explained Henley, who would like to one day combine her love of athletics with her proclivity for science. Having chosen UCSD for both its athletic reputation and its top-ranked biological science department, Henley is currently taking a heavy course load that often puts her on campus from 5:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is a lot of preparation that goes on when I leave my apartment in the morning I have to pack a lot of food, she joked. And I take a nap every chance I get. Balancing school, practice and meets, Henley manages to do so as effortlessly as she swims. But even the best have their moments. I try to take things one at a time and sometimes I just need to get through the day before I can worry about anything in the near of far future, she said. I still get stressed sometimes. Thats when it becomes important to just take a deep breath and prioritize. However, as for the Olympics though, she shouldnt worry too much. McGihon predicts, Alex will definitely compete at the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials.