The list of swimming greats at Westfield High School is a long one. The list will inevitably grow with the likes of Oria Alexander headed to the high school.
The Nomahegan Swim and Tennis Club star set a team record in the 50-backstroke for the third time this summer Monday night in Nomahegan’s 306-222 win over the Memorial Pool White Team at Nomahegan.
Alexander, who also won the 13-14 IM and butterfly, and led a first-place medley relay team, will be a freshman in the fall.
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Her previous best was 33.37. She went 33.60 last year.
“Swimming four events (in the meet) I knew it was going to be hard, so I went into this meet thinking about having fun,’’ said Alexander, a year-round swimmer. “It’s supposed to be fun. That’s what’s it’s about.’’
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Alexander said the backstroke is her specialty. She called the meet with Memorial as “pretty intense.’’ Nomahegan had won five straight from their cross-town rivals before losing last year.
“I see this as fun, but at the same time it’s serious,’’ she said, adding that Memorial Marlin Blue team swimmer Muriel Maloney is one of her town rivals in the back.
“In the 50 I’m faster than her, but she beats me in the 100 during the winter—she’s very good, she’s really good,’’ she said.
Another busy swimmer was Memorial White’s Noah Stiles, who won the 11-12 fly, medley and backstroke. He also swam a leg on the first-place medley relay team. He’ll be an eighth grader in the fall at Edison Junior High.
“I think it’s great,’’ he said. “I think its fun and swimming is good exercise. I like to swim, travelling around to all the places.’’ He said he’s been swimming at Memorial since he was eight. His brother and sister also compete on the white team.
The championships are near for both teams.
“Nomahegan is usually one of the strongest teams in this league with Willow Grove,’’ said Westfield coach Judy Lee.
