Freshman Alex Richardson has competed nationally in pools all over the country, and he’s not stopping any time soon.
Richardson made his first big splash when he was seven through The Northview Community Swim team. Rippling instant enjoyment, the young swimmer made the switch to Rockford Riptide when he was nine. Riptide is a team that undergoes elite training in the offseason and attends rigorous meets.
“Alex has grown from a young swimmer competitive at the local level to a nationally ranked swimmer among the nation’s best,” Richardson’s Rockford Riptide coach, Terri Eudy said.
Through Riptide, Richardson began representing Michigan for Team USA. Team USA is compiled with the most elite junior swimmers in the nation, with a team to represent each state.
Already seeding in top three and clutching state records in the 50 and 100 breastroke while swimming for team Michigan, Richardson is experiencing great success.
Despite these titles, all of his triumph was never handed to him on a silver platter.
“If you show up to practice on time and you’re willing to put in the effort, then you will get better and you will succeed,” Richardson said.
Richardson says racing is 10% physical and 90% mental. He believes that if your head isn’t in the game preparing to win, physical strength is almost irrelevant.
Other people also witness Richardson’s unstoppable drive for success.
“[Alex has] the ability to be humble amidst his success thus far. I have been impressed with his attitude in and out of the pool,” Richardson’s Northview coach, Rob Damuth said.
No matter how he did in the race, Richardson always “congratulate[s] his opponents professionally and with such sincerity,” Eudy said.
Richardson holds exciting goals for the future. He plans to stroke his way through high school, and potentially succeed as an athlete on a collegiate level.
“[It takes] hard work, dedication, being able to listen and showing up on time, but after a while, it really pays off,” Richardson said.
