Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Alexis Steffensen, Clayton Valley Charter High
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CONCORD, CA (July 26, 2024) — When Alexis Steffensen showed up at the Forest Park Swim Team as a four-year-old she was a ball of energy in and out of the pool reports long-time Flyers coach Jeff Mellinger. He says it wasn’t until Alexis was about 11 that she realized how good of a swimmer she could be. Since then, she has been posting winning race after winning race.
This month, she was high-point swimmer while breaking two meet records at the East County Invitational. At the upcoming Concord City Swimming Championships she will try to repeat as 13-14 high point winner.
Coach Mellinger says, “Alexis has an innate desire to compete. She sometimes second guesses her abilities, but never shies away from a challenge. Inside she knows she is a hard worker and carries loads of talent. She continues to improve and amaze those who get to watch her swim.”
Mellinger has been coaching Forest Park since 2000 but his star swimmer’s family predate him at the club by five years. Alexis’ mother and two of her Hadley family siblings were on the team starting in 1995 for about 10 years. In 2014 the young Alexis joined to reignite her family’s connection with Forest Park.
Based on her performances the last few years she may have a handful of medals from the upcoming city and county meets that close out the summer recreation season when Steffensen starts at Clayton Valley Charter next month after finishing her eighth-grade year this spring at Pine Hollow Middle School.
The Pioneer congratulates Alexis and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. laceyandruzicka.com.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to us at sports@pioneer.publisherscom
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Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.