The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Alexa Strauss as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The 11-year-old fifth grader at Yavneh Academy is a competitive swimmer and a key member of the JCC Palisades WaveRunners swim team in the NJ JCC league and USA Swimming. The WaveRunners head coach Neil Prima told the Jewish Link, “It’s an absolute pleasure having Alexa on the WaveRunners! It is swimmers like Alexa who make coaching enjoyable, and fulfilling. I look forward to coaching her for several more years and taking her to her highest potential as a swimmer.” Alexa dominated her age category in the NJ JCC league this year, earning 12 individual medals, including a gold medal in the 50-yard breaststroke event at the JCC all-star meet, and two silver medals (100-yard individual medley, and 50-yard breaststroke) and one bronze medal (50-yard freestyle) at the JCC Championship in Raritan Bay. She capped off the season by earning a bronze medal in the 50-meter butterfly at the JCC Maccabi Jr. games in Wilmington, Delaware on May 5, helping her team earn the silver medal in the team competition. And just for fun, she won the gold medal in the softball home run derby at the Maccabi Jr. games as well.
Alexa, congrats on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the week! Who are your role models and why?
My number one role model is my mom who is also an athlete! She has shown me that if I work hard in my sport, I can be successful and achieve my goals.
What is your favorite sport and why?
Swimming is my favorite sport! Since I was little I always loved being in the water and could swim endlessly for hours in the pool. As a competitive swimmer I now love the thrill of the competition at the meets—it is fun to meet my competitors and try to improve my times in each event.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My best personal accomplishment in swimming was my performance at the 2024 NJ JCC championship meet. I surpassed several personal records and won several races.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin because she is a great swimmer. I read her biography and she always has a positive attitude. She is also constantly contributing to the community through her charitable organization and good deeds.
What is your pregame routine?
I try my best to get a good night’s rest before each meet. I fuel up with a smoothie in the morning and at the meet I have a banana, a Nature Valley granola bar and Gatorade for hydration.
What goals do you hope to accomplish in your sport?
I hope to continue swimming for many years, perhaps even in college or at the Olympics. For one of my meets I swam at the Rutgers University pool and when I was on vacation in Colorado Springs my parents took me to visit the training pool at the Olympic Training Center.
What is your funniest sports memory?
In my first ever swim competition as an 8-year-old I accidentally dove into the pool and swam in the wrong race with 13 year olds. I swam the whole length of the pool before I realized my mistake. I was so embarrassed!
What is your favorite thing to do when not playing sports?
I love listening to music, dancing, watching the Mets, hanging out with my friends and spending time with my younger sisters, Michaela and Victoria.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
This is a great chance for me to share with everyone my love for swimming!
The Humble Toast Star of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Stars of the Week to [email protected].
