As a YMCA swimmer for thirteen years at the Ocean County YMCA, Alex placed sixth in the 100 backstroke at Spring 2007 YMCA Nationals, as well as second at the New Jersey State YMCA championships in both the 100 and 200 backstroke. At his final Long Course YMCA Summer Nationals in 2007, he placed third in the 50 backstroke. Alex captained his high school team his senior year, and earned four consecutive years of All-County consideration as well as being named the Star Ledger Ocean County swimmer of the year. Throughout high school, Alex acted as treasurer of N.H.S., as well as an elementary school coordinator for his district's peer education and anti-substance abuse program. He competed for his schools F.B.L.A., science league and math league teams. He also worked as an assistant recreation therapist at the Children's Specialized Hospital. Among his most memorable swimming memories are breaking the local college pool record with his high school relay team junior year in addition to the County and Shore championship meet records. Also, the four top sixteen finishes with his YMCA relay team at his final national meet. Alex chose Yale for its amazing residential college system, the excellent and plentiful food, great professors and class diversity and its many opportunities for undergraduate students interested in science.