Mighty Barracuda Olympic Trials Spotlight: Alex Pilieci

Mighty Barracuda Olympic Trials Spotlight: Alex Pilieci
Friday, May 10, 2024

Swimmer: Alex Pilieci
Age: 17
Current Grade: 12
School: John McCrae Secondary School
Plans for Next Year: Attending Le Moyne College, a NCAA Division I university in Syracuse, NY

Years Swimming:  11, and always a Barracuda!
Events at Olympic Trials: 100 FLY, 200 FLY, 200 IM

Pre-Race Routine: Eat Chicken Parm and pasta
Best Pump Up Song: ET by Katy Perry and Kanye West, and anything by NLE Choppa
Favourite Food: Chicken Parm and pasta
What he does when a race doesn’t go as planned:  Reset and refocus. Remember all of the training you've done and what you have done in practice. Plus, the next race is likely only a few minutes away so you need that focus.

If he could give advice to his 10 year old self, what would it be?  

• Remember to work on your mechanics and underwaters. They need to be efficient.
• Make sure your parents take you to Dairy Queen for ice cream after a DQ. 

If you have been with us through the saga of NKB swimmers heading to the 2024 Bell Canadian Olympic Trials, then we’re sure you know who Alex Piliieci is, or at the very least know by now that he is an incredible teammate to so many of our Barracudas.  So, let’s dive into his story.

Alex is a Barracuda through and through.  It was over 11 years ago that Alex waded into the world of competitive swimming and he has been chasing down competitors ever since.  He started first as a Junior Barracuda and before we knew it he was making waves in the competitive scene.  “I wanted to race, but in the water. I told my parents. They signed me up for NKB. It's been my club since Day 1.”

Every piece he recounts of his journey to the national level is connected to the experience with his teammates, and while success undoubtedly comes from an element of strength and dedication within an individual, Alex’s story is a full testament to the power of team.  Case in point, when recounting the experience of when he first qualified for the Olympic Trials, Alex doesn’t miss a beat between the accomplishment itself and that it was with his friends.  Some of his best friends were in the water literally side by side racing, and so many more were on the deck rallying, loudly, around him.  “[I made] Trials at the 2023 Eastern Ontario Regional Championships in my home pool with the support of my teammates who were watching and cheering me on.”  It was a phenomenal experience, and you couldn’t help but be drawn into Alex’s excitement. 

Alex is just that kind of guy. 

So what else fuels Alex’s drive for success?  “Pushing myself to constantly be better and seeing results by doing so.”  Success is like climbing a staircase, each step represents a skill learned, a best time earned, or achievement won that propels you closer to your goals. It's not a sudden leap but rather a series of small, incremental advancements that accumulate over time. Pushing yourself to take each step teaches you valuable lessons, builds your skills, and strengthens your resolve. By embracing the journey and focusing on consistent progress, you are setting yourself up for success.  Embracing that journey is exactly what Alex has done.  “Pushing myself to continually get better was key,” he shares. “It's like any step along the way. You need to train, sleep, eat well, and focus in order to make that next step.” Alex elaborates on the gradual journey from novice swimmer to achieving national-level success.  “It's not easy. But, you need to stay focused on your goals.  I remember swimming the 200 Fly and finished .01 second off the Triala time while we were at a meet in New Brunswick. It was disappointing, but also motivating. In swimming it's all about progression.“

And knowing all of this about Alex makes it pretty evident how the 200 FLY became a favourite event.  “It's always been my favourite event. It's incredibly hard to swim and a really challenging event. I like pushing myself, so it's a good fit.”

You can always count on Alex to turn any situation into a winning opportunity.  Get a DQ?  Convince your parents to take you to Dairy Queen, Alex quips.  His constant pursuit of a good race and a good time, in every sense of the word, pulls everyone up with him.  With “teammates, we pump each other up at practice by reminding each other about our rivals at other swim clubs and pretending they are in other lanes racing us, which pushes us to be faster.”  And it’s not just with his training mates, but his entire team.   “We also like to mix with the younger NKB athletes at swim meets and just talk to them about swimming. We learn a lot from the younger kids about what they love about swimming, and it seems to get them pretty excited [talking with us, too]!” And if you ever need a good laugh, ask his parents about the trip where he “lost” his suit case for an entire meet weekend, yet no one was the wiser because Alex just figures out how to get things done regardless of obstacle or challenge. 

“Sport has been a key part of Alex's life. From kicking soccer balls, running track and swinging baseball bats at the age of 5 through to his in-pool accomplishments as a grown teenager, he has learned so much. Sport has taught him about friendship, setting goals, time management and how hard work translates into success,” his parents revel about his accomplishments both in and out of the pool. “Swimming is more than just about the times you put up in the pool. We have seen Alex push through plateaus, work around his schedule to get his school assignments done and, most recently, schedule and manage dozens of interviews with NCAA coaches interested in learning more about him as an athlete. He fell for the sport of swimming at the age of 7 and hasn't looked back, even when saddled with those 5:30 am wake ups. It has been a real privilege to see the opportunities he has been able to create for himself as a result of his dedication. We can't wait to see what comes next.”

Alex, the privilege has been ours in sharing the pool deck with.  Your charisma is like none other and we are excited to cheer you on in whatever excitement you next create.




Stay tuned to your email for daily stories of our athletes as we approach the 2024 Bell Canadian Olympic Trials, or visit the News section of the  NKB Swimming website for current and past stories.