The family of
Lexie Malazdrewicz has a background rich in the sport of golf, not swimming.
Nevertheless, even before Malazdrewicz could walk, her parents had the foresight to get their daughter in the pool. Malazdrewicz pretty much has been blazing watery trails ever since.
That early exposure clearly has paid off for the senior from
Evergreen. With just a few months remaining in her high school career, the University of Southern California recruit is eyeing one last memorable run through the Class 4A state finals.
"I had been in the water even before I was able to walk," Malazdrewicz said. "My mom just put me in the water right away. We moved here (from Georgia) when I was nine, and I started swimming competitively then. I just thought it would be fun, but pretty soon it became a big part of my life."
Malazdrewicz has been the most decorated swimmer at the 4A finals during the past three seasons. She has won a total of five individual state titles, beginning with the first-place medal in the 200 individual medley during her freshman finals of 2010.
The past two years, Malazdrewicz has collected consecutive state titles in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle. She also was part of Evergreen's state title-winning team in the 400 freestyle relay, and she and her fellow Cougars just missed another relay title in the medley relay, finishing just .30 of a second behind the winning team from Broomfield.
Although her sights are set on collecting more hardware at her final state meet in February, Malazdrewicz's primary goal is adding a team title to her impressive list of individual accolades.
"I think my main goal is that with our state girls, I want to help get as many from our team qualified as possible," Malazdrewicz said. "I'd love to win state this year, and I think we have a good chance of doing it. It's definitely what we're going for and I'd love to bring back a state title for my school. With it being my last year, I want to enjoy every moment. It's been a great four years. High school swimming is a lot like what college swimming will be like, so it is great to have that experience."
A veteran member of the Jeffco Hurricanes club team, Malazdrewicz and Evergreen coach Jeanne Godaire remain uncertain if she will defend her consecutive titles in the distance freestyle events or attempt to collect gold in other events.
Malazdrewicz's best event may be the 200 backstroke, the event she swam at last summer's U.S. Olympic Trials, but since the 100 backstroke is the event held at high school meets, the Cougars will be sorting their options with their best swimmer over the next two months. Whatever roster shuffle that gives Evergreen its best shot at the team title likely will dictate Malazdrewicz's events at state.
"She's just a role model for the team with how hard she works and her dedication to the team," Godaire said. "She has given a lot of sacrifice and it has all paid off for her. She's great to have on the team with her wealth of knowledge that she can relay to the girls. I've given her more responsibility in that area and she's been great with that this year."
