Canadian Olympic Trials Start Tomorrow!

Hello from Montreal!

It's always an adventure chaperoning for team travel. After Betty Ann and I thought we were so organized to pre-bake and pre-cook some meals, we were told by air Canada that our cooler was 10 pounds overweight! So there we were on the airport floor trying to repack ourselves. So much for trying to be organized.

We finally have the whole team assembled together after everyone seemed to come in on different flights from different cities. We have Island athletes who have been away at University and have joined us for this meet such as; Cassie Morrice, Jeremy Bagshaw and Brittany Buna.

Everyone is healthy, in great spirits and really excited to race! The meet starts tomorrow so be sure to check back for updates.

Go island!

Nancy

20 Questions with Naomi Ellis

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/National Group
Coach: Aaron Dahl
Age: 17
Height: 5’6”
Best Event: 200IM

1) At what age did you start swimming?
I began swimming with a summer team when I was 6. Then, switched over to club swimming when I was 8 years old.

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
My favorite event as a 12&under swimmer was the 200 back. Ironically, it is now my least favorite.

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
When I was 9, my coach entered me in my first 1500. I cried for 2 hours before the race. Coming into the wall for the finish was the best feeling in the world. Now, I look back on that day and laugh.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
My parents have definitely helped me the most along the way. There has never been a time when they haven’t been there for me when I needed them.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?
Muhammad Ali

6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would most likely have played soccer if I were not a swimmer. I loved both swimming and soccer but had to decide between the two as I got older. I also have a secret fantasy of being a boxer (but Keegan told me it would ruin my face…)

7) What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
Julia Wilkinson’s pep talks are what get me through most of our hard workouts. Whenever she sees me starting to fall off my game she is quick to tell me to “get it together”.

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
Support from my teammates. It helps a lot having people to train with that have such high goals. It really helps you push yourself knowing that they are doing the same.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
Time management is the most important thing for any swimmer I think. Using your time wisely to get your schoolwork done first, then doing the fun things.

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
When I’m not at the pool, I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music and hanging out with friends. If I am bored, I also enjoy cleaning and organizing my room (weird… I know)

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
Chocolate-mint Genisoy bar!

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
Drake.

13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
Modern Family! Who doesn’t love that show?!

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
Eminem and 50 Cent usually play a pretty big role in my race preparation. Other then that, I just try and get excited about the race I’m about to swim. It’s hard to do well in a race when you don’t want to swim it.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Not at all. I have never been a big fan of having a set routine before a race. I just go with how I’m feeling that day and do what is necessary to prepare myself to swim fast.

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
Spaghetti with mom’s homemade meat sauce and garlic bread

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Getting my first senior national cut in the 200 back.

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
My biggest goal is making a national team and representing Canada.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
My first language was French.

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
As a young age group swimmer I wish someone had explained to me that the harder you train in practice, the easier it will be in a race. It’s much easier to start practicing good habits when you’re younger than to have to change bad habits later on.

If you have any other questions for Naomi, please post them under comments and we will get her to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Stephanie Horner

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/Victoria Academy of Swimming
Coach: Randy Bennett
Age: 23
Height: 5’11’’
Best Event: Individual Medley

• Rookie of the meet at 2004 Olympic Trials
• won her first national medal at 2005 World Championship at age 15
• 2008 Olympian

1) At what age did you start swimming?
I started swimming as a summer swimmer at the age of nine. I loved my coach so much that I joined her winter group with the Beaconsfield Bluefins.

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
Butterfly because it was the most challenging to learn.

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
Going to an age group swim meet and winning all my races. I came back home with seven gold medals.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
My family because they listen to me and they love me no matter what.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?
I don’t have one. I admire those who are hardworking.

6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would be finishing up school at a quicker pace and starting my own business.

7) What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
The Olympics because it is the best of the best.

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
It won’t be any easier in a race. It is a state of mind that will help one get better along the way.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
If you want to be the best that you can be, you have to have good time management and organizational skills. One must learn to prioritize their tasks. When there is a will there is definitely a way!

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
I like pilates. It looks easy, but it is actually pretty challenging for the body. You have to focus on each movement and learn how to stabilize yourself properly. I also enjoy Zumba classes. Pump up music fits well with my personality.

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
Drinking a protein shake.

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
I like a bit of everything! Variety is key.

13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
I don’t spend much time watching TV. I like to keep myself busy and when I’m tired, I just go to bed.

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
Just staying true to myself by smiling and relaxing.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Love my Second Cup coffee and pump up music.

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
Steak seems to work for me. It was my dad’s suggestion ever since I started swimming.

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Representing Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games. Such a good experience!

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
Making another Olympic Team.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
My first language is French.

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
I was lucky enough to have been well surrounded as a young age group swimmer. My favorite advice was and still is: Love what you do and do what you love!

If you have any other questions for Stephanie, please post them under comments and we will get her to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Blake Worsley

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/Victoria Academy of Swimming
Coach: Randy Bennett
Age: 24
Height: 6’6”
Best Event: 200 Freestyle

• born in Vancouver, grew up in Steamboat Springs Colorado
• studied Marketing at the University of Denver in Colorado
• enjoys making movies
• in high school, he won the Glenwood Springs Film Festival and the Steamboat Springs Film Festival for best Drama movie (Jeremy).

1) At what age did you start swimming?
I started swimming when I was 8 years old because my mom bribed me with McDonalds.

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
The 50 Backstroke

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
I remember during my first 50 freestyle I almost drowned and was balling my eyes out. My grandpa was on the side of the pool deck pushing me on.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
I would have to say my mom. She was my coach growing up and has always been my biggest supporter.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?
Terry Fox. I really don’t think anyone can measure up to his courage!

6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would be working in the business world right now making much larger sums of money!

7) What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
The thought of doing something that exceeds my own expectations. That and being able to eat as much as I want!

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
I think about my goals and how far I have come already.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
Graduate!

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
Basket Weaving/ Drawing pictures of dragons

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
It really depends on the day. If I could, I would eat something sweet after every practice.

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
I was under the impression that they no longer existed. Isn’t everything remixed these days?

13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
I could write a book on this section. If TV is dessert for your brain then my brain is morbidly obese. I would have to say Walking Dead, Parks and Recreation, and Game of Thrones for T.V. Movies would have to be Gladiator, The Fifth Element, and too many more to list.

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
I like to put on my headphones and get pumped up.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I try to mix it up but I have been known to stand like Captain Morgan behind the block. I also like to find lucky pennies before big meets (every swimmer has to have one superstition right?).

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
I have got to have eggs in the morning before I swim. It’s a must!

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
It’s hard to say but I just won my first Grand Prix in Missouri and I was pretty happy with that.

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
I want to make the Olympics this March at trials and from there I would like to do well in London this summer.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m an aspiring matador. I one day wish to bring tranquilizers to the sport instead of spears.

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
Slow down and work on your technique. Swimming is most certainly about trying hard but make sure you get your technique down first. You wouldn’t want to build a skyscraper without the proper foundation and the same goes for swimming.

If you have any other questions for Blake, please post them under comments and we will get him to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Jeremy Bagshaw

Photo credit: www.jeremylim.ca

Club: Island Swimming/National Green Varsity
Coach: Aaron Dahl
Age: 19
Height: 181 cm
Best Event: 200, 400 Freestyle
University bio

• Born in Singapore, raised in Canada
• Speaks English, French and Mandarin
• Graduate of St. Michaels University School, Victoria, BC
• Currently attending Berkeley University in California on scholarship
• Canada's flag bearer & bronze medallist at the 2010 Youth Olympics

1) At what age did you start swimming?
I first started swimming when I was about 4 but only got into competitive swimming when I was around 7.

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
I have always been a freestyler, I never really enjoyed swimming other strokes, because they just seemed so much harder than freestyle.

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
Breaking the national record in the 11-12 200 freestyle relay at AAA’s in Victoria.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
My Mom and Dad, they were always at meets supporting me, and they have spent countless hours over the years taking me to and from practice.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?
It would have to be Zinedine Zidane, because I’ve always enjoyed watching him play football, what he did on the pitch was always so impressive.

6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I’m not sure, but I would definitely have been involved with some other sport.

7) What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
To always get better and all the great trips and experiences that will come from my hard work.

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
I try and forget about how tired and sore I really am and try to focus on other things like technique and how much this work is going to pay off in the future.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
Being organized and planning ahead, I have to plan ahead for when I am travelling and try and finish work before I leave so that I don’t get too far behind.

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
Spending time with my friends playing video games or just hanging out.

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
It would have to be chocolate milk, nothing is more satisfying than drinking chocolate milk after a hard practice

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
It would have to be Backstreet Boys, I’ve gone to a couple of concerts and listening to their music just brings back so many great memories.

13) What is your favourite TV show, movie or both?
My favourite TV show right now is New Girl.

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
I try to focus on myself and think about all the work that I have done and how it will pay off. Thinking about all the work I’ve done over the years helps me know that I am ready to swim my best.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I listen to music to get me ready. It really helps to get me focused.

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
I never really eat anything specific before a meet; it is normally what is around on that specific day.

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Either winning a bronze medal at the youth Olympics or winning the team NCAA championship last year. Both for different reasons, at YOG it was the first time I ever swam in front of my family in Singapore and to have them there cheering for me was such a great experience, and the NCAA championship is like no other meet the feeling of coming together as a team and doing something together is like nothing I’ve experienced before.

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
I plan to make this year’s Olympic team, then continue with my college career, and then see where my swimming could go after college.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I really love food, trying new food from around the world is always fun.

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
Leave swimming at the pool. Don’t think too much about swimming, it should be something that you do at the pool, once you leave the pool you should focus on other things and always have fun.

If you have any other questions for Jeremy, please post them under comments and we will get him to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Stefan Hirniak

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/Victoria Academy of Swimming
Coach: Randy Bennett
Age: 27
Height: 6'2
Best Event: 200fly

• Canadian record holder in the 200m butterly
• Bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games
• Set a World SC Record in the 4x200m freestyle in 2009
• website: www.stefanhirniak.com

1) At what age did you start swimming?
I started swimming when my mother enrolled me in the mother-infant swim classes when I was still a baby. I grew up swimming summer club and then started swimming year round at the age of 10.

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
My favorite stroke/event was the 25free

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
Not being able to remember the order of the 100IM before the first time I had to swim it in a summer club meet. I was so nervous that I was going to mess it up, but I got through it and never looked back.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
I really appreciate all the support that I have gotten from my parents along the way. They have been so amazing during this whole journey and have always been there for me.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?
Michael Jordan

6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would be a PRO baseball player pitching for the Yankees.

7) What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
My motivation is the desire to be the best and the quest to push myself past the limits that I and other people have placed on me.

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
Positive self talk and internal motivation are a great way to get through the tough sets and hard times. We spend so much time in our heads, you have to get used to pumping yourself up when you don’t feel great or want to do something.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
Time management is the key to everything! If you can learn to get ahead you will make your life so much easier and stress free. I wish I had learnt this at a much earlier age.

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
Cooking!

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
Sliced ham with pickles and cheese all rolled up.

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
Eminem

13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
Entourage

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
I go over the race in my head and visualize every stroke I am going to take. Sometimes I will listen to music and sometimes I just like to listen to the noises around me.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Not really except I always take a hot shower the morning of a big race.

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
Steak

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Winning the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games was pretty awesome as it was my first international individual medal. I always love being on relays and breaking the World record in the 4x200 in Leeds was a pretty amazing experience and really cool to be a part of.

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
I want to push myself to my body’s absolute limit and find out where that limit lies. I clearly plan on making the Olympic team and would love to represent Canada in the Finals in London.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have some pretty unreal rapping skills.

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
Have fun and don’t take things too seriously. If you get burned out before you have a chance to really develop, then the sport cannot take you anywhere. I have been so lucky to be able to do something I love for so many years. Swimming truly is a sport that gives back what you put into it.

If you have any other questions for Stefan, please post them under comments and we will get him to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Ryan Cochrane

Club: Island Swimming/Victoria Academy of Swimming
Coach: Randy Bennett
Swimmer: Ryan Cochrane
Age: 23
Height: 6’4’’
Best Event: distance free

• Ryan has a twin brother
• Part of the COC Speakers group
• Started swimming in the Red Cross Program
• Won a bronze medal at 2008 Olympic Games

1) At what age did you start swimming?
9 competitively, but I started lessons at 4

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
Definitely the backstrokes

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
I remember going on my first trip with team travel, and being able to travel to a new city without my parents. It was an exciting experience for an 11 year old.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
The people who helped me most along the way would have to be my coach Randy, as well as my parents.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?Don’t have one really, although I appreciate what a lot of athlete’s have done in their sports.


6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I’d most likely be finishing up university and starting a career. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what exactly I’d be doing though.

7) What keeps you motivated day to train hard each day?
Both long-term and short-term goals; the short-term goals keep you interested and focused, while the long-term ones give you something to constantly strive for.

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
I’ve learned to focus on the goals I set for myself, and do everything not to focus on being tired or sore. I think you can surprise yourself with how much your body can take.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
There is no secret; it can be a very exhausting and difficult process. I just make sure to plan my time in advance and make the most of the little spare time I get on top of that.

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
I love hanging out with friends when I’m not at the pool. Being able to not talk about swimming and just hang out is definitely what I need away from the pool.

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
I’m a bit odd, in that my favourite snack after a hard workout is a recovery shake. I find it fills me up and is exactly what my body craves.

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
I like electronic music, so anyone from Wolfgang to Kaskade to Porter Robinson.

13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
I really like watching entourage, as well as Dexter. Favourite movie would have to be the new Star Trek or Gladiator.

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
I like to focus on all the hard work I’ve done in the lead up to that point; by focusing on the positive things I’ve done in preparation, I’ll have nothing which will cause doubt in my racing abilities.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I rely on music to get me motivated, so having my iPod loaded with some good new music is essential for me.

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
Not really; my pre-meet meals are based mainly on how I’m feeling at the time.

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
I would say winning my Olympic medal would be my career highlight so far; but I’m also really proud of the medals I’ve won at the World Championships.

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
My goal for this season is to make it back on to the podium at the Olympics. Past that, I hope to continue to be one of the best distance freestylers in the world.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I used to be a backstroker, and my first coaches thought I should probably be a butterflyer (although I’m glad that thought didn’t prevail)

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
To not idolize anyone in your sport; everyone is beatable, but you can appreciate the hard work other people put in. Use it as a motivator for yourself, instead of limiting your ability by putting people on pedestals.

If you have any other questions for Ryan, please post them under comments and we will get him to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Eric Hedlin

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/National Green
Coach: Aaron Dahl
Age: 18
Height: 6’1”
Best Event: 1500 Freestyle


1) At what age did you start swimming?
I was 8 years old.


2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
Individual Medley

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
“Junior Olympics” when I was 10. That was my breakthrough meet.


4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
My dad. He took care of me a lot


5) Who is your favorite athlete?
Lance Armstrong


6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would play baseball.


7) What keeps you motivated day to train hard each day?
I love to compete.


8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
Thinking about my goals


9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
I don’t really spend a lot of time doing school work.


10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
Airsofting


11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
Spaghetti


12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
Wiz Khalifa


13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
The Office


14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
Imagining the race beforehand


15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Just stretching/focusing


16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
Spaghetti


17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
My 15:17(1500 free) in Maui at the Junior Pan Pacs.


18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
I want to break 15 minutes in the 1500 free.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I love dogs


20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
Anyone can succeed.

If you have any other questions for Eric, please post them under comments and we will get him to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Taylor Padington

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/National Green
Coach: Aaron Dahl
Age: 17
Height: 5"8
Best Event: 200, 800 freesytle

1)At what age did you start swimming?
I started swimming when I was 5

2)What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
Freestyle has always been my favorite stroke

3)What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
At Commonwealth Games Trials in 2010, I had to opportunity to be on the 4 x 200 freestyle relay. Being able to swim with some of Canada’s best swimmers (Alexa and Julia) was so amazing especially since it was my first Nationals. We ended up coming second, and standing up on the podium made me realize one day soon I would like to be able to stand at the top.

4)Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
My mom has definitely been there the most for me. When I decided to move away from home a few years ago to come to Victoria, she was very supportive of my decision, and I know I can always call her if I am having a rough day.

5)Who is your favorite athlete?
My favorite athletes are the very fast and talented Olympians I get the chance to train with each day. Ryan, Julia, Alexa, just to name a few.

6)What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would still be living in Campbell River with my family going to school.

7)What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
I have high goals and expectations for myself, and I know if I want to reach those goals,I am going to have to stay focused and remember that each day is a chance to better myself.

8)How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
I keep in mind that even though I am tired and sore, so are my other competitors. If I want to be the best I have to be able to train through the pain and keep my goals in mind.

9)What is the secret to balancing school and training?
The secret is sleep and lots of it. I make sure I am in bed by 9 every night so that way I can have a good morning practice and am not tired when I have to go to school after.

10)What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
I really enjoy just sitting out in the sun (when there actually is some in Victoria) and reading a good book. I also love to go camping with my friends and family.

11)What is your favorite post-workout snack?
Chocolate milk!

12)Who is your favourite band/singer?
I love Drake and Taylor Swift

13)What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
Glee and Harry Potter

14)How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
I try and remind myself about all the hard work that I have done in practice to prepare myself for this moment and that all I need to do now is race and everything else will take care of itself.

15)Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I go up behind the blocks very early, not to talk to anyone, just to stretch out. I also go over how I want my race to go in my head right before I start my race.

16)Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
My favourite is Chicken and Caesar salad the first night before a big meet.

17)What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Coming 2nd in the 4 x 200 free relay at Summer Nationals in 2010 and coming 8th at Summer Nationals in 2011

18)What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
I would like to make the junior national team this year and also make a national team within the next few years

19)What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am an absolute Harry Potter fanatic! And I love to bake, although most people probably know that.

20)What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
I still am an age group swimmer, but some advice I wish someone had given me when I was younger is that you can have a bad race, a bad day or a bad meet, but remember to always stay positive and know that all the hard work you have done previously will pay off.

If you have any other questions for Taylor, please post them under comments and we will get her to answer them for you.

20 Questions with Alec Page

Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com

Club: Island Swimming/National Green
Coach: Aaron Dahl
Age: 18
Height: 5'11
Best Event: 400 Individual Medley

• Graduated from Claremont Secondary School
• Won the Victor Davis Award in 2009
• Won 4 Gold Medals at the 2009 North American Challenge Cup
• Broke 30 yr old Canadian Record in the 400m IM for 15-17 yr old boys

1) At what age did you start swimming?
I started swimming at 10 years old.

2) What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
My favourite stroke was Freestyle. My favourite event was the 200 freestyle.

3) What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
My very first memorable swimming moment was my very first swim practice. I started the practice without knowing anything about flip turns, technique, or how to swim butterfly.

4) Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
The people who have helped me out most along the way have definitely been my parents. Without them getting up at 5am to drive me to practice or supporting me through tough times I wouldn’t be where I am today.

5) Who is your favorite athlete?
Ian Thorpe, Brittany Maclean, Alexandre Bilodeau, Brian Johns

6) What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
If I wasn’t a competitive swimmer I would definitely be playing other sports. I can’t see myself ever not playing sports.

7) What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
I am motivated by goals I have set for myself. The goal that keeps me going is to make the Olympic team.

8) How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
I tell myself that being sore and tired right now is only one step, and in the long run it will all be worth it.

9) What is the secret to balancing school and training?
Setting your priorities and managing your time wisely.

10) What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
My favourite activity outside of sport without a doubt is sleeping.

11) What is your favourite post-workout snack?
My favourite post-workout snack is a big bottle of water and a protein bar, or some fruit.

12) Who is your favourite band/singer?
My favourite band is Pearl Jam.

13) What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
My favourite movie is Transformers 3, and my favourite TV show is Criminal Minds.

14) How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
Before a race I prepare mentally by listening to songs that motivate me and telling myself, “Live in the moment” because you can only control what is happening right now.

15) Do you have any pre-race rituals?
My only ritual is when I step onto the blocks, I hit the bocks twice, clap my hands twice. Then I shake my arms out, finally my legs out and take a deep breath, then tell myself “Here I am”.

16) Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
My favourite pre-meet meal is a bowl of soup, a big sandwich, a tall glass of chocolate milk, and some honey-dew melon.

17) What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Winning a gold medal at the World Junior Championships on the 4x200 meter freestyle relay.

18) What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
My future goals are to; make the Olympic team, break a Canadian record, and win a medal for Canada at the international level.

19) What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am very bad at memorization.

20) What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
Be confident in what you have done and what you can accomplish. Most importantly stay confident in yourself.

If you have any other questions for Alec, please post them under comments and we will get him to answer them for you.