Swimmer epitomizes commitment

    FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Commitment is something that helps build character. When you’re committed to something fully, you understand what it takes to be the very best at your craft.
You develop a strong work ethic and strive for nothing less than excellence. One County teen has embodied the spirit of what it means to be committed. And her name is Alexis Coiley.
Coiley, a sophomore at Fort Fairfield High School, has committed her life to swimming. She started taking lessons at age 4 and started swimming competitively with the Fort Fairfield Recreation Department at age 8. Since then, she has been a part of the Hurricane Swim Club, a USA Swimming-sanctioned club based in Bangor, as well as being able to practice with the Presque Isle High School swim team.
When one dedicates so much time to something, it’s clear they have a passion for it. Coiley says she likes how swimming has given her the opportunity to make friends all over the place, adding that she takes great joy in finding out how much she can improve, even during the off-season.
When it comes to living in the eternal winter that encapsulates northern Maine, many sports have to take a backseat to the never-ending snowfall. Fortunately for swimming, there’s the benefit of practicing year-round indoors.
“During the high school season, I practice with the team five days a week. I also do some early morning practices as an extra and I try to get at least one swim in on the weekend. With the USA Swimming, there isn’t really an off-season. We usually take a break in April and August after the winter and summer championships. I play high school soccer also, so it is a little harder to get to the pool in the fall, but I try to go at least three times a week.”
One thing that makes practicing a challenge is having to commute from Fort Fairfield, but it’s a challenge that Coiley has embraced. With a support system of both family and friends willing to take her where she needs to go, it’s no wonder she has had the opportunity to improve at the rate she has.
“Mom and Dad have brought me to swim from the swimming lessons as a little girl to all of the swim meets and practices that I do now,” she said. “Dad is a swim official and he helps me to do things right. They have spent a lot of time and money to give me the opportunity to become a better swimmer, and I am very thankful and appreciative for all that they do.”
Along with strong support from friends and family, one thing that helped Coiley be able to swim at the varsity level with the Wildcats was the legwork done by athletic directors Tim Watt of Fort Fairfield and Mark White of Presque Isle.
Watt and White, along with Presque Isle coach Joyce Price, worked on an agreement to let Coiley swim with the Wildcats, and she is very thankful to them, as well as the team, for helping make the transition to swimming with a different school as smooth and welcoming as possible.
Coiley placed 20th in the 200-yard freestyle at this year’s state championships with a time of 2:16.57, while in her other event, the 500-yard freestyle, she registered an 18th-place finish in 6:13.25. Both were personal bests, despite fighting an upper respiratory infection at the time.
“She is the best girl in the county and has no one challenging her during practices, so she has to push herself,” said Price. “She tries not to overthink races and meets. She just tries to beat the person next to her and swims as fast as she can.”
Erin Tateishi-Ouellette has witnessed Coiley’s exploits as coach at nearby Caribou High School and respects her for being the lone swimmer for her school.
“She seems to be an extremely hard worker who is growing more confident with her skills as a swimmer,” said Tateishi-Ouellette. “That confidence showed through at the state competition. I know how difficult it can be as the only swimmer from her school, but she has found her place as a County swimmer.”
In addition to her personal-best times in the 200 and 500, Coiley has logged top times of 28.4 in the 50 freestyle, 1:04 in the 100 free, 2:21 in the 200 individual medley, 1:21 in the 100 breaststroke and 1:10 in the 100 butterfly.
“As long as she knows she gave it her best shot, she doesn’t get disappointed,” Price said. “It is something that she has learned throughout her years as a swimmer. Don’t mistake it as a lack of intensity. Without the burden of attaining a personal best every time a race starts or touching the wall first, Alexis keeps her focus on swimming as hard and as fast as she can.”
Coiley hopes to continue swimming well beyond her high school years, saying that having the benefit of a year-round coach and potential scholarship opportunities make continuing the sport in college something to consider. Even if she decides that her time with the sport is finished, she will have a lifetime of lessons and experiences to make her time in the pool something to cherish.