NTC Aquatics Tabs Alex Baxter as New Head Age Group Coach

Courtesy: Kim Couch

CLERMONT, Fla. — National Training Center (NTC) Aquatics is happy to announce the hiring of Alex Baxter as Head Age Group Coach after a comprehensive nationwide search. The newly created position will focus on developing and mentoring the 14 & under swimmers, creating an atmosphere of excellence for our rising athletes while elevating the age group program locally, regionally, and nationally. Coach Alex joined the program January 7.

Coach Alex comes to NTC Aquatics with over a decade of coaching experience with all ages and ability levels. He has spent the last five and a half years as the Head Age Group Coach and Associate Director of Competitive Aquatics with the Wilton Y Wahoos in Wilton, Conn. In his time with the Wahoos, Coach Alex achieved an ASCA Level 4 coaching certification with over 40 YMCA National Top Ten Swimmers, two USA Swimming National Top 20 Swimmers, and one Eastern Zones Champion. Coach Alex’s teams also won one overall Connecticut LSC Age Group Championship, three boys team championships, and two 10 & under age group championships. In 2017, the Wahoos were the top IMX scoring 14 & under team in Connecticut, earning Coach Alex a nomination by ASCA as the National Age Group Coach of the Year.

Prior to arriving in Connecticut, Coach Alex was the Head Coach and Director of Competitive Aquatics at the Lionville Community YMCA in Exton, Pa. At LCY, Coach Alex grew the Riptide swim team by over 30% in 4 years, helped numerous swimmers reach their first YMCA National qualifying times, and coached his first USA Swimming Junior National qualifiers.

Baxter grew up in Boise, Idaho, where he was a member of the Boise Y Swim Team. He went on to swim in college at the NCAA Division III level at Linfield College in Oregon. Shortly after earning a BA degree in business, he returned to Boise, where he assisted part-time with the Boise Y and where he was head coach of the Timberline High School swim team for four years.

His experiences are what led him to the decision to pursue coaching as a lifetime profession. Baxter strives to help each one of his athletes develop a lifelong love of the sport of swimming. He enjoys teaching young swimmers skills which will help them both in and out of the water, and has developed creative ways to motivate his swimmers to reach new heights.

“From our initial conversation with Alex, it was clear that his passion, professionalism, and competitive drive would be a tremendous asset to our up and coming program,” stated NTC Aquatics Head Coach Don Gibb. “I look forward to working alongside Alex and supporting his goals and vision for our age group program via an enthusiastic, positive, and multifaceted approach. His impact on our community, young people and their families is sure to last far beyond their swimming experience.”

On the pool deck, Coach Alex is known to be enthusiastic and engaged with all of his swimmers. He has a goal for every swimmer to have fun and to learn something every day. He hopes to see his swimmers learn to love the challenges the sport can provide, be great teammates, and learn lessons which will make them better people beyond from the pool.

Coach Alex is excited to join the NTC Aquatics team and looks forward to helping each of his swimmers find the same enjoyment from the sport of swimming he has found throughout his own swimming and coaching career.