Alex Purdy, Amarillo High Swimming, Sr.
In the pool: Purdy entered last week’s District 3-5A meet at the Town Club as a prohibitive favorite on paper, and in the water he lived up to that by decisively winning two individual events and pacing two victorious relay teams. He started the day by winning the 100-yard butterfly (the same event in which he won bronze at last year’s state meet) in 56.05 seconds, and later cruised to victory in the 100 backstroke in 58.58, as he wasn’t seriously challenged in either win. That latter win was particularly gratifying since Purdy won it in the water last year, but was disqualified because he left the blocks too early. Purdy was also the leadoff swimmer on the winning 200 medley relay team (1:53.81) and anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay team (1:44.92)
Coach Ron Lee: “He’s still swimming tired right now. A lot of these guys are hitting the taper process right now and he’s not. We’re going to keep him on a full training regimen until midweek. He’s been doing a lot of 150s to make him fast in the 100. He’s excited about the opportunities he has his senior year. The maturity I’ve seen in him from his freshman year to senior year is just phenomenal. He really has stepped into being a good team leader this year. The younger kids are responding well to having him on the team. He’s impressed me with the way he’s assumed a leadership role. He’s probably one of the most talented kids I’ve ever coached. He’s broken three school records.”
Purdy: “I don’t really set any goals for district. It was really more of a get it done sort of meet for me. I just swim like I would in practice. (Being disqualified in the 100 back) wasn’t as much motivation for me this year as it was last year. I could really hone in on my fly last year and that was a reason I was able to get a medal last year at state. Whenever I’m preparing for a meet it’s usually pretty evenly based. After my last high school and club meets I began training for my state events and make sure I have everything right, but I don’t have a set where I train one more than the other. It’s just my endurance and I’m supposed to swim regionals tired off only a day or two of rest. I want to make sure I’m good for state.”
About Purdy
Favorite band or musician: Eminem
Favorite social media platform: Instagram
Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps
Bet you didn’t know: Worked as a child model and did a photoshoot for Adidas to promote the World Cup.
Parents: David and Velma Purdy