DETERMINED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN THE POOL

By Shelly Newman

Ali Aly, a junior at North Shore High School, has loved swimming since he was a little boy. Inspired by his father, a swimmer and Olympic coach, Ali is determined to go the distance in school and in the pool.

Currently, a junior at North Shore High School, Ali has strived to maintain excellence in his academics during this pivotal 11th grade school year. He has worked very hard to balance a rigorous training schedule with workouts twice a day (first practice begins at 6:00am before school), while taking two AP classes and maintaining an above A average overall. Ali said, “It takes a dedicated person to get up early, go to class, complete homework, and still have the motivation and energy to do the best in school and in my sport.” He swims with the Long Island Aquatic Club led by his USA Swimming coach, Dave Ferris.

Ali qualified for the NCSA Junior Nationals in Orlando, Florida, swimming in the Distance Freestyle Event. He was proud to make the “cut time” which made him eligible to participate among approximately 1,000-2,000 swimmers around the nation, with approximately only 40 boys and girls across various ages qualifying from the metropolitan area. This was one of his major goals this season.

Ali summarized by quoting one of his favorite sayings by Kevin Durant, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” Ali stated, “While swimming takes a certain degree of natural talent, this sport takes a lot of dedication. You will only get so far if you don’t put in the time and the work. You really have to push yourself to be the best you can be.” An important philosophy, he agreed, that applies to school and all aspects of life.


Article by Shelly Newman

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