Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Alexa Szadorski

As a member of the Oswego girl's swimming and diving team, junior Alexa Szadorski and her teammates have an opportunity to accomplish a goal every high school athlete dreams of, a state championship. Being undefeated on the season, a state ranking inside the top 5, and a qualifier for the Junior World Championships and Texas commit Grace Cooper returning, expectations could not be higher. However, Alexa and her teammates manage those expectations by focusing on the little things, which is why she is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Alexa started swimming at a very young age, but when she hit what she thought was a plateau, she decided to stop. However, Alexa would go watch her twin sister Abby swim, and after seeing her and the older athletes swimming and training, knew swimming was something she wanted in her life.

The relationship Alexa shares with her sister is one that is both competitive and supportive. Their mother, Michelle Szadorski, says, "Alexa and her twin sister have always been very close, and share the same interests, friends, and achieve similar results in school."

Having a twin sister who competes in the same sport has helped drive Alexa to be better, as Michelle says, "I think one of Alexa's biggest motivators has always been her sister. Not only does her sister support and encourage her to be her best, but Alexa has wanted to go to the big championship meets in which Abby competed. Alexa has always looked up to Abby when it comes to swim, which has helped her to achieve her own goals."

The Wolves are currently ranked 3rd in the state and expect to compete for a state championship, as well as numerous individual state championships, by season's end. Head coach Deryl Leubner believes it is his team's commitment to narrow their focus that will help them achieve their goal, saying, "The team has done a great job this year staying focused and working toward a common goal, but they realize we still have a long way to go in our season." He continues by saying, "They are staying focused on the big picture without losing sight of the next event on the schedule, which is the conference meet this Saturday."

Alexa's best event is the 100 butterfly, and event she qualified for individually at the state tournament last season as a sophomore and is hopeful this year she can take home a medal. She will also compete in the 200 Medley relay, an event in which the team currently has the 5th fastest time in the state, and the 200 IM. Alexa's goal is to eventually swim for a Division 1 program, a dream head coach Deryl Leubner believes is within reach.

The swim team has played a big role in helping Alexa become the person she is today, but so has the atmosphere and staff at Oswego East. "High school and Oswego East have helped make Alexa into a more confident student and athlete," says Michelle. She goes on by adding, "Alexa has had several amazing teachers throughout her high school career who have encouraged and supported her to try new things and step outside of her comfort zone."

While swimming at a Division 1 program is one of Alexa's goals that drive her to improve, she also has a goal to major in nursing while swimming competitively in college. "Alexa is an extremely caring, patient, and compassionate person," says Michelle. She adds, "She genuinely cares about others and their well-being, and is so excited about her Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Terminology classes this year."

Alexa's Anatomy teacher, Robyn Mellas, believes Alexa will excel as a nurse, saying, "I think she will be a great nurse because she is very calm and confident in her knowledge. She is also incredibly, kind, and helpful towards her classmates and others."

With the conference meet this Saturday and the IHSA state tournament beginning shortly after, the Wolves' are positioning themselves to win the most coveted prize in high school sports. As long as they continue the recipe that helped them reach this point, there is no reason to believe they will not be holding a state championship trophy at season's end. For future Wolves' who are hoping for a similar type of success in the classroom and athletics, Alexa advises them to, "Make sure you prioritize your time between academics, athletics, and your social life so you never feel overwhelmed in any area." The overwhelming feeling of earning and holding a state championship trophy is within reach for the Wolves, and Alexa and her teammates will continue to focus on the process to achieve that goal.