Harriton swimmer Alec Maloney is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior swimmer became the Rams’ first state qualifier since Harriton moved up to PIAA Class AAA eight years ago, finishing sixth in the 100 back at the District 1 meet with a school-record time of 52.9. At Districts, he was also the leadoff swimmer for the school record-breaking 200 free relay and 200 medley relay teams. He was a district qualifier in the 50 free, 200 IM, 100 fly and 100 breast.
Q: Tell us about your 100 back swim that broke a school record (52.90) and qualified you for States. What was the key to your performance – did you feel at that time that it could be a record-setting swim?
A: The week leading up to Districts I knew I had a good shot at breaking the record of 53.12, but knew it was going to be a challenge. I think the keys to my performance were my walls/underwaters and my improved back 50 of my 100 that contributed to the time drop.
Q: What was your first reaction when you found out you’re going to States, the first Harriton swimmer in eight years?
A: I was pretty excited that I would be getting another shot to lower the 100 back record again, but also realized I would be missing the first two weeks of [Harriton] lacrosse tryouts.
Q: You were the leadoff swimmer in the 200 medley relay team that finished ninth at Districts and posted a school-record time of 1:38.22. Tell us about your experience as the leadoff swimmer – what in your opinion was the key to the team’s record-breaking performance that day?
A: Christo Snyder, Nick Andstat, Sam Eaddy, and I have been swimming the relay all year and knew what individual splits we would have to go to be sub 1:39.00. We also knew this would be our last/best chance of setting a record that would stay for years. Perfecting our relay starts the week before districts definitely heavily contributed to the new record. Overall, the underclassmen in the relay stepped up in a big way and we couldn’t have done it without the time drops from everyone.
Q: You also were a district qualifier in the 50 free, 200 IM, 100 fly and 100 breast. What in your opinion has been your best swim this season, and what was working particularly well for you that day? What do you feel is your best event, and why?
A: My 100 back at districts was definitely my best swim this season not only because it’s my best event but I was tapered. Backstroke quickly became my best event since I had asthma when I was little and liked it because you could breathe the whole time.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: A typical day of training usually consists of going to school, lifting after school for about an hour or an hour and a half, going home to eat, chill and do homework, and going to practice typically from 6:30-9 p.m.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: I started strength training/lifting this year and have been working on my underwaters a lot this season.
Q: What pool did you first swim for? What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: The first pool/team I swam for was Radnor Aquatic Club at Radnor High School. My favorite swimming venue is probably North County Aquatic Complex in Jupiter, Fla. – it is a 10-lane long course outdoor pool.
Q: Who have been your biggest swimming mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My biggest swim mentors are Coach Kathryn McKeone and Coach Sally Wolf from Lower Merion Aquatic Club. Aside from devoting countless hours, days and years to not only me but the program as a whole, both coaches have motivated and helped LMAC swimmers keep focused and work hard in the pool and in school. They have not only developed me as an athlete but also as a person.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: Thanks to our Athletic Director, Mr. Ferguson, we get to sleep in and come into school at 10 a.m. Before my race I try not to waste any energy and I eat healthy food and carbs.
Q: What colleges are among your current favorites? What do you think you might want to major in? Is there a particular career path that interests you?
A: Georgetown, Boston College, Bucknell, Loyola University (Md.) and Providence College. As of right now I am thinking of majoring in Business.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Harriton?
A: I’m in Harriton Stock Club, National Honor Society, Harriton Ronald McDonald House Club, and have played lacrosse [for Harriton] all four years.
Fun facts – Alec Maloney
Favorite book: Things Fall Apart.
Favorite author: William Shakespeare.
Favorite TV show: Family Guy.
Favorite movie: Shark Boy and Lava Girl.
Favorite athlete: Ryan Murphy.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: My Boo – Ghost Town DJ”s.
Favorite team: Villanova basketball.
Favorite place to visit: Jupiter, Fla.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Pasta.
Favorite color: Beige.
Person I most admire: “Our family friend, Father Rob Currie, who lives in Nicaragua and has devoted his life to selflessly helping others.”
Family members: parents Steve and Nikki, siblings Sean and Tatum.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
