SJsportsweekly_082819 by nmg

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AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019

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Title Town

Winning at Moorestown isn’t new, but after a banner year in 2018-19, when nine different programs raised trophies, what’s the secret behind the Quakers’ success? By RYAN LAWRENCE Sports Editor

Summer was still in session and the opening of school was three weeks away, but Moorestown High School was buzzing during the second full week of August. After back-to-back rainy mornings, the football team was taking advantage of the weather to run through its third practice of the preseason. Across the parking lot, 45 girls dotted the courts for the first week of tennis practice. The Quakers’ popular program had so many students come out that it will likely need to make cuts. On another field on campus, a group of a few dozen girls formed two separate lines to create a running lane for freshman soccer player Zoe Lam. When the ninth-grader completed the half field of suicide sprints in under 30 seconds (she did it in 28, to be exact) the girls soccer team broke out into claps and cheers. Lam’s run ended practice early, saving everyone extra running. The camaraderie across all of the fields and courts was palpable in the attitude and energy of the students. “I just think that the school as a whole is like a second family,” said senior soccer player Abby

RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly

Moorestown established itself as the premier high school sports program in South Jersey last year when it won six state championship and nine sectional titles. From left to right are seniors Grace Leese (tennis), Grace Hurren (soccer), Joseph Delconte (soccer), Adam Robinson (football) and junior Margaret Lawler (field hockey). McNulty, who moved into town from Tennessee last year. “All of the sports teams come together. Basically it’s one big family and having people push you, even if they don’t play the same sport as you but push you to be your best self. … I think that’s what makes it great.” Dedication, determination, and drive, with some fun sprinkled in. Moorestown athletics are back in ses-

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sion. During the last 12 months, Moorestown High School took an already strong reputation and raised it with a remarkable run that saw six programs win state championships (boys basketball, girls and boys lacrosse, girls swimming, field hockey, and boys golf) and three other programs collect South Jersey titles (girls soccer, and both tennis teams).

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“It was awesome,” said athletic director Shawn Counard. “We need to get a couple more trophy cases, but it was absolutely awesome. The kids were great, the fans were great, the coaches were great. The school’s support for all of the teams was awesome. … Seeing that, I’m hoping we can continue to build upon that for this year.” please see QUAKERS, page 6

SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019

FOOtBaLL

What does Matt Welsey have in store for an encore? A year ago, Shawnee head coach Tim Gushue, at the urging of some seniors, named a freshman his starting quarterback in mid-October. Matt Welsey helped turn a forgettable season into a championship one. By RYAN LAWRENCE Sports Editor

A trying season was nearly two months old and the frustration was evident throughout the veterans on Shawnee High School’s football team, including dynamic senior quarterback Joe Dalsey. Dalsey, who head coach Tim Gushue guessed had played eight or nine different positions at Shawnee, made an offhand comment to an assistant coach. “Why doesn’t coach just get the Matt Welsey era started?” Dalsey said. Dalsey was playing quarterback mainly out of necessity – the Renegades were without a natural fit after a player transferred and top quarterback prospect Welsey was only a freshman. “We had a conversation about it (after that),” Gushue said. “Dalsey said, ‘If it’d help the team, I’m all for it.’ Normally I wouldn’t yank a senior like that, but it shows you the kind of kid Joe was.” And so heading into Shawnee’s final month of the 2018 season, Dalsey, who will play linebacker at Princeton University this fall, moved to tailback and the team called on Welsey. The ninth-grader made his first varsity start in a 26-21 loss to Rancocas Valley, completing 15-of-22 passes, throwing for 214 yards, scoring two touchdowns and no interceptions. And then Welsey, the freshman wonderkid, helped Shawnee (2-6 heading into Halloween) to a four-game winning streak, including a South Jersey Group 4 championship win at Clearview. Not bad for a 14-year-old. “I think he’s a special young man,” Gushue said. “His football IQ is really good. Really good. And he’s such a dynamic athlete, he could be a good runner, too. … Coming up through the system in Medford Football, they ran the same system that we did, I think that really helped. And he just has a lot of confidence.” Prior to the start of his first full season under center for Shawnee, Welsey looked back on his memorable freshman season with

South Jersey Sports Weekly: SJSW: So how do you explain a journey when you begin high school on the freshman team and then you’re starting at MetLife Stadium a few months later (in a state playoff game)? Matt Welsey: I got a couple of plays in against Union City (on Oct. 12), I had a run play, and that was the first time I actually got hit hard. And I realized what varsity really is. Then I got used to it. (Joe) Dalsey really helped, he would just talk to me if I ever needed help. And then after that it was like any other football game. Shawnee head coach Tim Gushue: He also threw a touchdown pass at the end of the Williamstown game. He called the play, too. It was fourth and 15. I asked him what he wanted to run, the score was something like 45-7. So I said, what do you like, what do you want to run? He called something we called a Zebra, threw a 40-yard touchdown pass. I remember how excited he was, and he should have been. SJSW: When the season was over and you had time to look back on it, were you surprised the season went that way? Welsey: I wasn’t really that surprised, but I think the playoffs made (our guys) think differently. You know, if you lose one game we’re going home. SJSW: Did you ever feel nervous or overwhelmed? Welsey: The first play when we played Union City I had a little bit of butterflies. But as soon as I got the ball, I just went. please see WELSEY, page 8 RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly

Shawnee’s 2018 season was heading nowhere when coach Tim Gushue installed freshman Matt Welsey into the starting quarterback position. The Renegades won four of their final five games, including a South Jersey championship.

AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019 – SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY

FIeLd hOCkeY

RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly

Bishop Eustace Prep’s coaching staff speaks with the players during the first week of practice. The Crusaders have played in three consecutive state title games and despite losing nine regulars from last year’s team, continue to have high expectations.

Reloading, not rebuilding Bishop Eustace Prep’s field hockey team lost eight starting seniors since last spring and is without its leading scorer after ACL surgery. High expectations remain, however. By RYAN LAWRENCE Sports Editor Most of the girls have played the sport for long enough to know that when they enroll at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, they’re joining a field hockey team that expects to play deep into the playoffs each fall. For those who aren’t aware, the

message is received at some point during freshman orientation. It’s written in big, white letters over a black background in the school’s Field House. The Tradition is That of a Winner. “My expectations are very high,” said Danielle Senior, a Eustace graduate entering her eighth year as the head coach of the field hockey program.

The Crusaders won a state title in Senior’s first season, 2012, and then again in 2016. “I expected them to come in conditioned, I expect them to respect their teammates, I expect good sportsmanship,” Senior continued after a recent practice. “I want them to have fun, but also know this just isn’t some (ordinary) high school program; we work to be the best we can be. You don’t win at all costs, but we work really hard to try to win.” Eustace has played in each of the last four Non-Public state championships. Whether it’s able to make it five in a row, and take a shot at claiming a third state title in eight years, is likely dependant on the maturation of a mostly inexperienced lineup.

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The Crusaders watched 11 seniors graduate in the spring, including eight starters. Current senior Julia Gatelein, who led the team with 31 goals last season, is out for 2019 after undergoing surgery for an ACL injury suffered during lacrosse. Two other promising, contributing players transferred out of school. Some coaches could have a defeatist attitude after doing all of that math – it’s an awful lot of subtraction. Senior, fortunately, isn’t be one of those coaches. “Where there’s loss, there’s an opportunity for these girls,” Senior said. Eustace has experience back at a pivotal position in goal: junior Mia Trottie is back for her third straight season. Seniors Claire Vassel and Abby Miller have varsity experience, and sophomore Alex Senior scored 12 goals (third on the team) as a freshman last season. The overall youth movement, new varsity players jockeying for roles and playing time, has created a competitive but fun environment during the preseason. “It’s really nice to play with my friends,” Trottie said. “I’ve been used to playing with the older kids, we had a lot of seniors last year and I was a sophomore. I just feel like everyone mixes well right now.” “I think it’s actually a good thing because everyone is forced to work really hard and step into new roles since we don’t have a lot of experience,” said Vassel. “No one is going to slack off, we’re going to push each other.” Eustace will be tested regularly in a competitive Olympic Conference, but they welcome the challenge. Despite its overall youth, a program that has gone 75-13 the past four years (with a 420-1 record in division play) doesn’t believe in rebuilding years. Just because you have a lot of players new to varsity doesn’t mean you have a lack of players with talent. “We have a great amount of skill and field hockey IQ,” Danielle Senior said. “They’ve worked so hard in the preseason,” added Gatelein, who will stick with the team as a coach of sorts before continuing her field hockey career at Lehigh University next fall. “So I think everyone prepared. I think we’re still going to be good, we still have a lot of great players who play club.” The first month of the season should be important for the Crusaders. If they get off to a strong start, who’s to say they can’t run through the Non-Public playoffs again? “We definitely have to find out who goes best where (on the field),” Vassel said. “Once we get the hang of that, we’ll be good to go. We just have to sort things out in the beginning. From there, I think things will go pretty well.” ■

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SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019

BOYS SOCCER

New year, same championship mentality Senior Luke Leach, junior Elkin Bonilla-Hernandez and junior Shane Lovett hope to instill the values of last year’s sectional champion Seneca boys soccer team into the next group of varsity players By MIKE MONOSTRA Sports Editor

Senior Luke Leach, junior Elkin Bonilla-Hernandez and junior Shane Lovett know what it's like to embrace Seneca boys soccer’s key philosophy, “Win the day.” The Golden Eagles did a ton of winning in 2018. They were unbeaten in Olympic Conference play, won the South Jersey Group 3 sectional title, and lost just two games, one in the South Jersey Coaches’ Tournament and the other in the NJSIAA Group 3 state semifinals. Leach, Bonilla-Hernandez and Lovett are also three of the few players remaining from last year’s championship winning team. Seneca boys soccer may be defending conference and sectional champions entering 2019, but this year’s team is very different from last year’s after the Golden Eagles lost nine starters to graduation. “We’re really just focused

on this year,” Leach said. “It’s a whole new year, it’s a whole new group of players.” Leach, Bonilla-Hernandez and Lovett are being asked to carry Seneca’s championship attitude and instill it into the next generation of players. The three are serving as captains this season and are passing down the lessons they learned in prior years to this year’s team. “Coming in from eighth grade or a travel club team, you get to the high school varsity level and it’s just faster,” Leach said. “You need to learn very quick. You need to learn that people are on you quick up here.” Lovett said one of the keys to Seneca’s success in 2018 was how every player on the team was held accountable. That accountability is something he hopes carries over into 2019. “They were not afraid to tell each other when you did something wrong,” Lovett said of last year’s captains. “That’s a good thing.”

Mike Monostra/South Jersey Sports Weekly

Seneca’s Elkin Bonilla-Hernandez fires a shot on goal during the Golden Eagles’ scrimmage against Trenton last Wednesday. Bonilla-Hernandez is one of the few returning varsity players from Seneca’s South Jersey Group 3 championship team in 2018. Assistant coach Chris Melograna saw a change in Leach, Bonilla-Hernandez and Lovett from the first day of preseason. He credited all three of them with stepping up as vocal leaders and also setting a good example on the field. “They’ve been very valuable,” Melograna said of the three captains. “They’ve been probably our hardest workers. Last year, they were the younger guys, they weren’t the most vocal. Now they are.” What changed in the three leaders from last year to this year? Bonilla-Hernandez summed up the change in one word. “Confidence,” Bonilla-Hernandez said, adding that last year’s championship run gave the program a huge boost. While Seneca has lost a slew

of starters in the offseason, the team does return its top two offensive players from last year. Leach led the team with 18 goals in 2018, and BonillaHernandez was second with 10. With both of them back, the Golden Eagles will have plenty of proven offensive talent on the field opening day. The bigger area of focus early in preseason was on the defensive end, where Seneca is plugging in a new group of starters into the lineup. Keeping a proper defensive shape was a point of emphasis in the season’s first week of practices as well as in Seneca’s first scrimmage last Wednesday against Trenton. “We’re working on a lot of defense, where we should be on the field and what we should be doing off the ball,” Melograna

said. “It’s something we’ll be working on tomorrow and the next couple of weeks.” The biggest goal for Seneca is to get all of its new varsity players up to speed as fast as possible prior to the team’s first game at home on Sept. 3 against district rival Shawnee. Leach and his fellow captains realize the team won’t have any easy games this year, saying everyone will be aiming to take down the defending champions in 2019. The only way to prepare for such a task is to keep embracing the philosophy that won Seneca a title last year, “Win the day.” “Our work rate is going to stay the same,” Lovett said. “We have something even more to prove this year. Everyone is going to want to take us down.” ■

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AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019 – SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY

TRIATHLON

A tremendous triathlete

Williamstown’s Alexa Fisher, 14, put up a personal best time at the 2019 Atlantic City Triathlon, finishing with the seventh best time out of more than 200 female competitors By MIKE MONOSTRA Sports Editor

Alexa Fisher is the very definition of a versatile athlete. Entering her freshman year at Williamstown High School, Fisher plans to compete for the Braves on the cross country team in the fall, swim team in the winter and track and field team in the spring. Fisher also previously played soccer and field hockey as a kid. Yet none of those are Fisher’s best sport. Fisher is one of the best triathletes in the region. Competing at the 2019 Atlantic City Triathlon on Aug. 10, Fisher finished with a personal-best time of 1:07.39 in the sprint triathlon. Her time was the best in the girls 15-and-under age group and was the seventh-fastest time out of all female competitors in the event. “It’s a happy feeling,” Fisher said. “I’ve accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.” There was little doubt Fisher would become a triathlete at some point. Both of her parents compete in triathlons, and her family is a part of the Williamstown Badgers Tri Club. Fisher competed in her first triathlon about five years ago at the age of 10 and was able to

Photo Credit: Amy Fisher

Alexa Fisher shows off the hardware she won at the 2019 Atlantic City Triathlon on Aug. 10. Fisher was the top finisher in the girls 15-and-under category and had the seventh fastest time out of all females competing in the event. pick up triathlons quickly thanks to having a lot of experience with two of the three legs. Fisher has been running since kindergarten, having gotten her start with a running club at her elementary school, Oak Knoll Elementary. Additionally, Fisher has swum for a number of years with the Greater Philadelphia Aquatic Club based out of Gloucester County Institute of Technology, as well as with Lake Kandle

Swim Club in the summer. Biking has been the one area where Fisher has had to work the most over the past five years. She has improved her times on the legs by training on the bike outside, as well as riding on a stationary bike in the basement at home. Fisher also has gotten faster in the transitions of the race. Triathlon competitors begin with a swim, followed by a bike ride in the second leg and a

run in the final leg. The two transition periods are crucial parts of the race where competitors can lose or gain time. “Sometimes we’ll go and do stuff with the Badgers,” said Amy Fisher, Alexa’s mom. “One thing they’ll have is what we call a brick. It gets your body used to going from the biking to the run.” As the years have gone on, Alexa has gained experience and confidence in the events she competes in. Her efforts have resulted in Alexa winning more than 20 medals over a period of five years. Alexa competes in the sprint triathlon, a version of the triathlon where the distances are shorter than in the Olympic triathlon events. In a sprint triathlon, competitors complete a 0.25-mile swim, a bike ride of about 11 miles and a five-kilometer run. This year was the fifth time Alexa competed in the sprint triathlon at Atlantic City. In recent years, she has used her past experiences to improve on her time in 2019. “Last year (during the swim), she went a little farther back in the wave and she had a lot of people to pass,” Amy said. “This year, she wanted to move up.” It wasn’t going to be easy for Alexa to improve her time. Her training for this year’s event was cut short due to an ankle injury sustained in the spring track season. “Normally, I’d be out on the bike more, running a little bit more and swimming,” Alexa said. “This year, I only went out on the bike two or three times. My running was cut back too because of my ankle. I still swam a lot.” Alexa had to face a different type of adversity during her 2019 race in Atlantic City. The race please see ALEXA, page 8

SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019

QUAKERS

continued from page 1

RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly

Moorestown girls soccer goalie Leila Scaramella sends a kick upfield. The Quakers were one of nine programs at the school that won sectional championships during the 2018-19 school year.

The success across programs allowed some returning Quakers to achieve a rare feat: Hayden Greer and Margaret Lawler were among the half dozen students who were able to be a part of two state championship teams. The fact that Lawler, only a junior, has a very realistic opportunity to do that in all four of her high school seasons (she’s been a part of state title teams in field hockey and lacrosse in each of her first two years) speaks volumes about the school. “I couldn’t imagine going to a different school, just with the relationships I’ve made with the girls and the coaches, it’s just been an honor,” Lawler said. “After all the success that’s gone on in Moorestown and what’s to come, I’m truly grateful for it.” Lawler’s older sister, Delaney, entering her first year at Ohio State University, was a part of a decorated senior class that also included Nick Cartwright-Atkins, Kayla Frank and Akhil Giri – a formidable group of student-athletes who led two different teams to state titles last year. “It was a talented group,” Moorestown football coach Beau Sherry said. “So to re-

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peat that? I don’t know if you’re going to do that every year but … it’s something to shoot for. To be a part of that, to know what it takes to get there, for kids to experience that is always valuable.” The leadership of strong seniors is crucial, but several programs at the school (including lacrosse and field hockey) are winning regularly, regardless of roster turnover. So what is the secret to the Quakers’ programwide success? “I think it’s a combination of things,” Sherry said. “Feeder programs absolutely have something to do with it. I think the parents, having supportive parents, has a lot to do with it. And I think it ultimately comes down to the dedicated kids who want to work hard. And we have a good school here with support from our administration. So when you have all of those things coming together, usually you have success.” Moorestown’s determination to be the best doesn’t end when the final buzzer sounds. The school also has a stellar academic profile. According to many of the students, the success on and off the field is no coincidence. “I feel like everyone at Moorestown just has a really great work ethic, even in school it’s really competitive, everyone is always taking AP and honors classes,” said senior tennis player Grace Leese. “And then that just carries into sports and daily lives.” “I think the environment at our school is really intense and everyone is really competitive, whether it’s academics, whether it’s sports, clubs, activities,” added senior soccer player Grace Curren, who is attending Columbia University next fall. “Everyone is super intense and really cares about what they’re doing and wants to see the best from themselves. ... In the classroom, we push each other. On the field, everyone pushes each other. I think our athletic community also has such a tightknit group that we’re all cheering each other on, we all go to each other’s games and we want to see the best from each other.” The work ethic it takes to be successful in the classroom bleeds into the time and dedi-

cation it takes to be a winning player in athletics. The same ethos carries over to other clubs and activities at the school, too. “Everyone does really well in everything here,” Leese said with a laugh. “Teachers are awesome, the coaches are great, too. And we have 12th period, where we can stay after school to get the help you need, whether it’s from coaches, guidance counselors, so there is always someone around if you need the help.” A support system is crucial. Whether it’s teachers, coaches, administrators, and, of course, dedicated parents, Moorestown’s athletic family is clearly a yearlong team effort. And that passion has a trickle down effect, too. Steve Dickerson watched his son, Ryan, grow as a player under legendary Moorestown tennis coach Bill Kingston and cherished the opportunity to pay that passion and knowledge forward. After working under Kingston, Dickerson now coaches the girls tennis team. Colleen Hancox, a decorated lacrosse player who graduated Moorestown in ‘02, returned to the school last winter to take over the girls lacrosse program’s coaching reins from Deanna Knobloch, her former coach who had a 580-46-4 record with 16 state titles. Naturally, Hancox led her alma mater to a state title last spring. “I think the biggest factor in the success of Moorestown athletics is the history and tradition of excellence,” said field hockey coach Ali Collins. “We have amazing athletes who are willing, driven, and extremely motivated to put in the time and work to be top athletes in the state, not to mention that bloodlines in this town run deep. Families live here, send their kids to school where they find great success, and then the students (and student-athletes) want to come back to such a wonderful place to settle with their families so the next generation can experience the amazing history and traditions. … When we repeated last season, we talked about that a lot along the way. What is our legacy? How do we fit into the grand tradition of Moorestown sports?” ■

AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019 – SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY

Abby Marthins starts off the game at midfield while Amanda Meeker watches.

Eastern’s Riley Hudson rips a shot through an open lane toward the goal.

Stacy Lukasheva pushes the ball forward. All Photos: MAttHEW SHiNkLE/South Jersey Sports Weekly

Haddonfield traveled to Eastern Regional High School last Tuesday for each school’s first field hockey scrimmage of the 2019-20 school year. Eastern would defend its home turf and leave victorious in its first scrimmage before the start of the regular season. ■ Ryleigh Heck looks to move downfield with the Eastern offense.

Katie Marthins passes to a teammate.

Kylie Dawson moves the ball downfield along the sideline.

Abby Reenock waits for Eastern to bring the ball up the field.

Haddonfield’s Bridget McCormick battles Eastern’s Stacy Lukasheva for the ball.

Haddonfield’s Moira Geiger waits in goal.

SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — AUG. 28-SEPT. 3, 2019

WELSEY

continued from page 2 SJSW: Was their one favorite highlight or play? Welsey: I think the best one was Millville. I scrambled and threw it to Tom Rebstock for a game-winning touchdown. Gushue: Late in the game, fourth quarter. I think we called a timeout … we motioned him on a jet sweep, he was supposed to look for the tight ends going vertical, they were covered, so he started scrambling, to his left and he’s a lefty, and next thing you know he just flicks it to Rebstock and he walked in. Welsey: You told me, right before that play, if anything happens, look for the running back. SJSW: How about going into this year, what are the expectations? Welsey: Well we lost J.C. Dobis (University

of Pennsylvania) on the line, which is a big one, and Beau Lanzidelle (Hun School). But our line is solid this year. SJSW: Let’s have some fun. Who has the best hands on your team? Welsey: I think (Nate) Summerville definitely does. I remember anytime I scrambled I’d look for him, even if he was doublecovered. I’d throw it up and he’d be there to catch it. Gushue: He’s 6-5. He can go up and get the ball. SJSW: Who is the fastest guy on your team? Welsey: I think Rebstock. He’s explosive. SJSW: And last one for your teammates. Who is the best tackler? Welsey: Wow, that’s tough. SJSW: You can name a couple.

Welsey: I think Dalton Short and Matt Papa, too. SJSW: When you guys have days off, Sunday, what’s your favorite thing to do to chill out? Welsey: Take a nap. Then go in the pool. And then go fishing. SJSW: Did you do anything fun this summer? Welsey: I went on a cross country road trip. We went to Boise State University and saw the blue field. And we went to Yellowstone. We went to Notre Dame, too. The whole family. My mom’s friend let us borrow an RV. SJSW: So it’s the season opener and let’s say lineups are announced and you can walk out to your own song. What are you going with? Welsey: Hall of Fame (by The Script, featuring will.i.am). ■

This is an abbreviated version of the Q&A with Welsey. For the complete story log onto southjerseysportsweekly.com

HEATING

•

COOLING

•

ALEXA

continued from page 5 begins with a swim in the bay near Bader Field in Atlantic City. As Alexa completed her swim, she emerged on a concrete boat ramp leading competitors out of the water and toward the bike transition station. Alexa slipped as she came out of the water and scraped her knee. “We ran out to transition. I was in transition and I’m yelling at my dad that my knee was bleeding,” she said. There was no time to stop, however. Alexa continued her transition onto the bike for the second leg of the race, a bike ride along the Atlantic City Expressway. The bike course takes riders down a few miles and then loops back to Bader Field for the start of the running leg. “We got to the turnaround part (of the bike leg) and my knee’s still bleeding,” Alexa said with a laugh. “I thought, once we get done, my knee will be done (bleeding).” The scraped knee wouldn’t slow down Alexa at all. When she crossed the finish line on the Atlantic City

PLUMBING

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Boardwalk, her time was at 1:07.39, nearly two full seconds better than her time of 1:09.07 from the same event in 2018. “It felt good,” Alexa said of setting a personal best time, “because I didn’t think I was going to (set a best time) this year.” “That day, it was like something just clicked,” Amy added. “Her competitiveness was just right there, ready to go. She came out in the swim and just running right into the transition.” Alexa will bring some of her athletic talent to Williamstown High School beginning this fall with the cross country team. Regardless of how her high school athletic career plays out, however, Alexa plans to continue competing in triathlons for years to come. By the time she graduates high school, Alexa is hoping to compete in half-ironman triathlons, events where the course stretches for approximately 70 miles combined across all three legs. “Out of all of the sports she does, this is her favorite,” Amy said. “She’s said it before and that’s what keeps pushing her.” ■

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