Ali Polhill

The Bears senior, a two-year captain on the Brewster swim team, was a sophomore at the time, and had just taken a fourth place in her specialty— the 100 butterfly - at states.

That’s when she knew the dream was within reach.

As a junior, Polhill again advanced to the state championships. but her best finish was a second – again in the butterfly.

She wasn’t upset. In fact, Polhill says it helped her focus on what lay ahead—her senior year, and her last - and best —shot at a title.

This fall, in her fourth trip to the state championships, Polhill didn’t disappoint.

Polhill, a gigantic talent in a small package, capped a brilliant senior swim season by first winning Section 1 titles in her two individual disciplines—the 100 fly and 100 backstroke. She then went on to the states, where she realized her dream of becoming a state champ—she won the gold in both of her individual specialties, and, with relay teammates Alexis Valedon, Courtney Monsees and Kristi Edleson, added a state title in the 200 medley relay as well. The foursome also took a second in the 400 freestyle relay.

Polhill has been adding to her already crowded trophy case ever since. She was named the Con Ed Scholar/ Athlete of the week, the Journal News named her the Section 1 Swimmer of the Year, and now Polhill can add one more award— the PUTNAM COURIER November Athlete of the Month.

A six-year member of the Brewster varsity swim team, Polhill has long been recognized as one of the top talents to come out of the Brewster program.

This will be the third consecutive year Polhill was given the top honor a high school athlete can earn – All- American status. It will also be her fourth straight season earning All- State and All-Section accolades.

Polhill described her crowning moment at states as more of a relief than anything else.

“It was really a relief, especially after finishing second last year,” she said. “I’ve been aiming for a state title since my sophomore year when I came in fourth in the fly . . . that’s when I thought I could really do it. Last year (finishing second) I wasn’t really frustrated because I wasn’t a senior. But after that junior year at states . . . I’m really competitive, and I don’t like to lose. I wanted to make it a point as a senior to be proud of what I’ve done. I feel like I knew I could do it, but I was surprised to win the back as well. The fly is my best stroke.”

Bears coach Brittany Hunter has watched Polhill develop her talent, and believes she can take it to the next level.

“She’s been unbelievable,” Hunter said. “It’s very rare to find someone with her talent. She’s phenomenal in several areas, and has been very dominant since the seventh grade. And she’ll continue to get better once she’s in college (Polhill will attend Clemson on a partial scholarship). She’ll train all the time. And I believe she has a shot at making the Olympics trials, and possibly even the Olympics one day.”

Hunter said one of the traits that makes Polhill so fast is her killer underwater kick—and her natural competitive spirit.

“She’s an extremely competitive person,” Hunter said. “She doesn’t like to lose. She’s not tall, she’s tiny. But she has great stroke work, and a great underwater kick. That’s what sets her apart from everyone else—when she dives in, she’s already a body length ahead of the others. She’s been a great captain, and she’s a great influence on the other swimmers.”

Like many athletes who specialize in a certain area, Polhill swims yearround with the Marlins Swim Team out of Mount Kisco. She’s been with the Marlins since she was five years old —she started swimming at age three— and understands what is required to get to the next level.

She’s now continuing to dream, but even bigger.

“It is time-consuming,” Polhill said. “You have to love it when you’re at that level. I would like to make the Olympic trials, and I’m close to that… but I’ll see at Clemson if the Olympics are within reach. That’s been a dream since I was little. Hopefully one day . . . ”