Alex Bresler plays for National Championship

Long time Next Level client, Alex Bresler, who is a freshman for the Elmira Soaring Eagles

Women's hockey team, participated in the national championship game March 21st vs.

Amherst College. And what a game it was! This match was back and forth from start to

finish with rallies, lead changes, and momentum swings that were truly fitting for a national

championship competition. Just as fitting was the score at the end of regulation play, which

was a 3-3 tie. Unfortunately the Soaring Eagles came up short in this sudden death overtime

as Amherst scored the winning goal at the 12:12 mark.

However, we could not be more proud of Alex and her accomplishments. Coming into the

last off-season Alex had undergone shoulder surgery and knew that she had a lot of catching

up to do to make any kind of impact as an incoming freshman. Most athletes in this situation

would simply go to physical therapy and maybe ride the bike until they were totally cleared

to train. Not Alex! She would take her sling off in the parking lot, come in the gym and go

to work. (yes I know about that Alex) While rehabbing the shoulder, we found ways to

still get a training effect with specialized bars and sleds for the lower body, as well as modified

exercises to strengthen the upper body. By the end of the off-season Alex had not only

successfully rehabbed her shoulder, but was stronger, faster, and in better condition than

ever before.

It's been quite a year for Alex. Surgery, rehab, training, working her way into the lineup as

a freshman, and competing for a national championship. There are so many things that went

into such an accomplishment, but I think this quote from Alex herself sums her up the best.

Less than an hour following what had to be a heartbreaking loss for the National title I

received a text from Alex saying, " I'm ready to get to work. I will be a National Champion."

We are proud of you Alex and look forward to helping you achieve your goal.