Wood holds multiple school records

Alex Wood ’08

Any successful team needs an athlete who inspires others with a positive attitude and a desire to win. For the Connecticut College men’s swimming and diving team, Alex Wood is that key ingredient.

Wood has already set or shared four school records and he’s only in his second year with the program.

“On any team you want each member to be able to look around the room into their teammates’ eyes and see unwavering faith and loyalty — a desire to win for yourself, your team and your college,” said coach Marc Benvenuti. “I have no doubt that when anyone looks in Alex’s eyes, they see all of that.”

The sophomore from East Windsor, N.J. led the Camels to an eighth-place finish at the 2005 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship. It was the highest finish for the program, but he’s not satisfied.

Wood would like to see the team score 600 points at this year’s championship — the Camels finished with 511.5 in last year’s meet at Wesleyan. The team is the smallest in the NESCAC with 11 men on the roster. Some might perceive this as a weakness, but Wood says the small group has developed a tight bond and “the guys are supportive of each other.”

Wood practices in the pool at Jane Cadwell Lott Natatorium.

Wood is ranked among the top five in the conference in the 1,000-yard freestyle. He set the school record in the 1,000 (9:51.32) and the mile (16:31.75) and is trying to finish in the top three in both events.

“As fierce competitors do, Alex performs best when the stakes are highest,” said Benvenuti.  “Alex takes pride in his performances and how they help the team. I think that helps him rise to the occasion no matter what the situation.”

Wood is happy with the progress he’s made and is confident that he can contribute more to the team with Benvenuti’s guidance. A significant part of that training takes place on the Camels’ annual winter trip to Naples, Fla. Both the men’s and women’s teams spend three weeks in multiple training sessions with breaks away from the pool at the beach and the bowling alley.

When choosing a college and evaluating swimming programs, Wood spent an hour on the phone with Benvenuti learning about the direction of the Camel program.

“He was very excited about the program and that was a major selling point,” Wood said. “I definitely wanted to be a part of the rebuilding process. It’s really exciting to be able to build a powerhouse. We have so much potential and we are only getting better.”

Wood hopes that people will come out and support the team at the NESCAC Championship at Williams. The three-day event runs from Feb. 24-26 in Williamstown, Mass.

Wood is a member of the History Advisory Board, the American Studies Advisory Board and the CC Democrats. He is very interested in politics and is considering law school. But for now he will focus on swimming and academics.

“Without swimming I wouldn’t have time management skills,” he said. “It’s made me organized…(and) dedicated to filling my goals.”