Tininenko More Devoted To Swimming

Bentonville’s Alexa Tininenko competes in the 100 freestyle on Jan. 31 during the Bentonville Invitational Meet.
Bentonville’s Alexa Tininenko competes in the 100 freestyle on Jan. 31 during the Bentonville Invitational Meet.

— What might have made Alexa Tininenko become a more dedicated swimmer took place nowhere near a pool.

The Bentonville junior had spent the past two seasons splitting her time between swimming, soccer and track and cross country before she suffered an injury while playing soccer. Tininenko decided to become a full-time swimmer shortly after, and she’s seen the results.

“The injury caused me to quit soccer,” she said. “After I started running, I realized running and swimming just wore me out, so I figured I would be better off just doing swimming.

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Alexa Tininenko

SCHOOL: Bentonville

CLASS: Junior

HEIGHT: 5-1

NOTABLE: Has automatically qualified for five individual events for the state swim meet. ... Was part of a Bentonville team that set a state record in the 200-yard freestyle relay at last year’s state meet. ... Earned all-state honors by finishing second in the 50 free. ... Devoted her time to swimming this season after splitting it with soccer, track and cross country the last two years.

“I’ve been enjoying swimming a lot more. I’ve had a lot more time, so I’ve been going to a lot more practices and I can tell I’ve been improving a lot.”

Tininenko said the additional practice time has given her extra endurance during meets, which is probably her biggest difference this year. She mainly stuck to the 50-yard freestyle in past meets simply because it was one of the shorter races.

Tininenko has already qualified for the upcoming state meet in five individual events — the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, the 100 backstroke and the 100 butterfly. She’s also done her part by helping the Lady Tigers qualify for state in relay events.

“Right now, she’s on a pace where she can focus on her times in several different events,” Bentonville assistant coach Nick Nersesian said. “She not only wants to qualify in events and help her team be successful, but she has personal goals.

“You can see her drive. Her drive is second to none right now. She’s been wanting this more than anything.”

Nersesian has also seen Tininenko became more of a team leader this year. That was something she didn’t have to worry about the past two seasons because the role was filled by older sister Lauren, now a freshman on the New Mexico women’s swim team.

“She’s now on the deck, commanding performances from the other athletes around her,” Nersesian said. “She’s starting to move into that leadership role that comes with somebody that is very competitive and has strong goals.

“She’s like a little coach herself. She’s seeing where we can gain points, where we need to be and who needs to produce. She’s pushing the kids.”

The 50 freestyle will still be one of Tininenko’s main staples when she competes in the North District Championships, which will be held Wednesday at the Jones Center in Springdale. Swimmers are restricted to two individual events and two relay events during district and state competition.

Tininenko knows she’ll be in two relay events. Her other individual event is still to be determined.

“Either the 100 fly or the 100 free, or really anywhere I need to be,” she said.

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