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PURCHASE, N.Y. – Alex Smith completed his AP American History midterm Thursday, and quickly his focus shifted toward swimming.
The Horace Greeley junior began preparing for the swim team’s meet with fellow unbeaten Fox Lane. Smith’s focus would help lead the Quakers to a 95-83 victory over Fox Lane at SUNY-Purchase.
Horace Greeley improved to 7-0-1 and will close out the season with Ossining on Feb. 4. The Foxes concluded the regular season with a 7-1 record.
“Everyone was pumped and ready to go,” Smith said. “Fox Lane is doing really well this season, so we went in wanting to do our best, and we did.”
The Quakers psyched themselves up prior to the meet and it would catapult them to the lead.
Fox Lane opened the meet by winning the 200 medley relay, but Greeley took over after that, fueled by Risten Clarke and Smith. Clarke raced to a three-second victory in the 200-yard freestyle, clocking in at 1:50.61, and Smith followed with a victory in the 200 individual medley. Smith covered the 200 yards in 2:02.73.
Smith set the tone of the race on the butterfly leg.
“I was able to get my fly out pretty fast,” Smith said. “I felt amazing in the water. My stroke felt really smooth and my kick was pretty solid.”
Smith was gliding through the water, but Fox Lane’s Robby Purvis was matching his stroke. Smith said he was very conscious of Purvis, who also is a good friend.
Two events later, Smith was back in the water for the 100 butterfly. Once again, Smith demonstrated just how smooth he was with his butterfly stroke. He won the race in 54.86 seconds.
Clarke joined Smith as a double winner, placing first in the 100 freestyle. Clarke finished in 51.54 seconds, followed by teammate Danny Papes.
Horace Greeley coach Meg Kaplan credited her team with responding immediately to Fox Lane's strong start.
"We knew that Fox Lane had big talent up front," Kaplan said. "Our boys rose to the occasion."
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