Irvine Swim League Achievement Award Winner 2014
Alexa Clayfield, Westpark Marlins
Future Plans: Orange Coast College, studying kinesiology and continuing to swim and play water polo.
I started Irvine Swim League when I was 7 years old, hands down one of the best decisions my parents and I have ever made. It was something completely foreign to me but at the same time something I was so comfortable with. The team had a huge sense of unity when I joined, which definitely was my favorite part. Everyone seemed so happy and excited to be at swim practice. The ISL created a sense of home for me not necessarily where my front door was, or my kitchen, or my bedroom, but on a pool deck. Walking onto the pool deck at 4:30pm every summer evening was the best part of my day. I knew I got to hangout with my friends, talk to my coaches, and swim my little heart out and when I got home I got to crash on my bed knowing I had worked so hard and had so much fun.
Growing up on the Westpark Marlins throughout the years changed me into a fish, not literally of course, but it did get me fast and real tan. The coaching staff made the experience the best, which definitely made me want to be one of them when I grew up. I looked up to them more than I think they knew. Each coach strived to make the team better, no matter if it was telling the swimmer to streamline a little longer or to not breath on every stroke or to even just say, “get off the lane line!” There was something that always intrigued me about being a respected leader.
As years swam by, I realized that I absolutely loved swimming. It was my happy place; my dedicated two hours everyday where I got to improve on my sport. I wanted to be the best I could be, so I took out extra time to do swim lessons where I met a man that changed my life forever. The main person that influenced me the most in the ISL was definitely, Todd Larsen. He was the greatest mentor, coach, friend anyone could have asked for. He showed me that there is no reason to be mean or to not love what you are doing every minute of your day. He was a man of trust, compassion, and love for everyone around him. He made everyone feel like an equal, like they had a purpose on being on that pool deck everyday. I would like to think I am following in his footsteps. I absolutely love coaching just like he did. These past 4 years as either a volunteer or assistant coach has truly made me a more confident, respected, enthusiastic, dedicated young woman. Without his tremendous amount of care and effort he put into everything he did to help improve those he cared for, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the same person I am today if it wasn’t for him. I am immensely grateful for the time he dedicated to me to help me become better and that is why I wanted to give back and help out other swimmers who have the same desire to be talented.
If it wasn’t for Todd Larsen, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve as much gratitude and excitement as I have in the past 11 years. When I started high school I was talented enough to start on the Varsity swim team, go to CIF all four years, earn sportsmanship awards, inspirational awards, and leadership awards all before I graduated from high school. It wasn’t so much that I was looking to be awarded at every banquet, it was that I wanted to make sure I left a lasting imprint on everyone I touched. I wanted to make sure I was enjoying what I was doing while making everyone around me feel happy and apart of something important. I wanted to show people that it wasn’t about getting a plaque and showing it off, more or rather it was about how I could show someone I am willing to work hard not for an award but for myself.
As I turn the page and close this chapter I will remember that there is just something about stepping up onto the blocks, taking your mark, and slicing through the water; which gets me every time. The ISL started my swimming career and I am so excited to keep swimming in college and for the rest of my life; especially since I don’t like to run.