Moore’s Alex Pershall

By Ivy Knapp

Moore High School senior swimmer Alex Pershall has spent the past four years in the pool, building a love for a sport he never expected to get into.                                                               

“I actually wanted to play water polo,” he said. “There was nowhere around here to play it, so I tried out swimming, and I loved it.”

That decision ended up shaping much of his high school career. Alex specializes in the 200-yard freestyle, an event that takes both endurance and speed. Before a big meet, he takes time to get his mind set right.                 

“I usually listen to music and think about prior meets, just reminding myself that I can do well,” he said.

Being focused has helped him reach some impressive goals, including one that still stands out. “My proudest moment was probably swimming at state my freshman year for our relay,” he said.

Swimming isn’t always easy, but Alex finds motivation in remembering why he started and how far he’s come.                                                                                           

“I just think about how it feels to go to meets and really do your best and set new times,” he said. “Practices can be really hard sometimes, but I always do my best to never skip anything and push through the tough sets.”

That mindset has carried over into real life outside the pool.                                          “Swimming’s taught me to really push through the hard times. It’s not just in the water, it’s in everything I do.”

One of Alex’s biggest influences was a former teammate.                                                                                  “A senior my freshman year named Gavin had not only a big impact on me swimming, but just me as a person,” he said. That kind of mentorship and team support are a big part of why Alex loves being on his swim team. “The camaraderie and friendship our team has is one of my favorite things.”

Outside of swimming, Alex balances his time between school and work, squeezing in hours whenever he can between practices. His goal this season is set.

“Swimming a good time in my 200 freestyle.”

Looking ahead, Alex plans to continue chasing his dreams both in and out of the water.                             “I’m looking to go to college and get a bachelor’s in psychology,” he said. “And I want to play Valorant competitively at the collegiate level.”