Alex Wayner has verbally committed to swim for Ohio University beginning in the 2022-2023 season. She is a rising senior at the Savannah Arts Academy, and she swims in the offseason with the Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team (GCAT) swim team. She was a Savannah Morning News All-Greater 1st team selection all three years in high school.
Alex keeps the Wayner family tradition of swimming at the college level alive. Wayner's sister, Darby, was a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Utah. Her brother, Harrison, is a collegiate swimmer at the University of Georgia. Harrison is a senior expected to graduate in 2022. All three swam for the Savannah Arts Academy and the GCAT swim team.
"Ohio University felt like a great fit and a great place to be. When I meet the team, it felt like a family," said Alex. "I really wanted to swim at the DI level like my sister and brother."
Wayner, a junior and is a six time finalist in the Georgia High School Association Class 1-3A 100 state swim championships. Alex this past season placed third in the GHSA 1-3A 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 50 freestyle. At the GHSA Class 1A-3A state competition as a sophomore, she finished fourth in the 100 breaststrokes and sixth in the 50 freestyle. In her freshman year, she qualified in the GHSA Class 1A-3A 100 breaststroke finishing fourth and in the 50 free, placing 8th overall.
Savannah Arts Academy Athletic Director Karin Best is excited about Alex as a student/athlete. Best said, "Alex is an outstanding student-athlete, very dedicated to her schoolwork and her swimming. She is kind, fun, and a pleasure to be around."
With the GCAT team, Alex has been swimming under Olympic medalist Coach Bill Forrester since she was six years old. Alex took the gold medal (first place) in the 50 Free at the Seven Zone Age Group Championships for the GCAT swim team in August 2019. This past swim season at the Winter 18&U Championships in December, Alex stood out with outstanding performances at the meet. Then Wayner had three top 15 performances in the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) Senior Cup in March and four personal best times at the Mizuno Atlanta Classic in May. Alex stated, "I am looking forward to the Georgia Senior State Championship meet next weekend." The meet will take place at the University of Georgia.
"She is a great kid and has grown up in the sport in a great swimming family. Alex has a lot of potential at the next level and chose a great school. I know the coach, and this is a great spot and fit for her," said Forrester.
Photo - GCAT Swim Team Facebook
