By Minh Ngoc Le
Some athletes are made. Others are molded by the water, shaped by every early morning lap and painstaking drill. For sophomore Alyssa Ton, swimming isn’t just a sport—it is a way of life.
When you see her doing three jumps, adjusting her cap and taking a deep breath before settling into razor-sharp focus, there is no doubt her heart is set on one single goal- to leave no regrets behind.
From following her love for water to winning the 200-yard freestyle at the 2024 CIF Southern Section Division I Finals as a freshman, Ton has charted a remarkable rise through California’s ultra-competitive swim scene, now placing her at 2nd in the entire state.
“I think [winning CIF] changed my perspective as an athlete because it proved to me that I can be successful. It gives me motivation that the training and hard work I put in pays off,” Ton said.
But her CIF debut didn’t stop at gold. Apart from personal records, Ton also led her 4 x 50-yard medley relay team to a fourth-place finish, along a new school record of 1:44.79.
Whether it be racing for the Barons or representing Irvine Novaquatics, Ton’s reputation has continued to grow. At the 2024 Southern California Swimming Championships, she secured her first U.S. National cut in the 200-meter freestyle and soon followed with national qualifying times in the 100 freestyle and 200 IM.
Yet even with her long list of accomplishments, Ton remains grounded in her roots.
“In this sport, a lesson that I have learned from not just my coaches, but also my teammates is that not everything is going to go the way I have planned. It took me a while to not get so upset after every race or practice that was tough and challenging to me,” Ton said. “ I have learned that not improving in one event or specific technique can be frustrating, but it’s all a part of the process of getting to where I ultimately want to be.”
Now, the pool is where she thrives.
“My favorite part about swimming and going to meets is obviously getting to compete and see what I can do, but also getting to hang out with my friends and teammates day in and day out,” Ton said. “The time that I can spend talking to them and laughing with them makes the sport even more fun.”
Outside of the pool, Ton is just as dynamic—she enjoys spending time with her friends or relaxing at home, embracing the peacefulness of her own presence.
She credits her mom as her biggest source of motivation, someone who has helped her become who she is today. Her mom is the embodiment of kindness- a trait she hopes to embody as she continues her journey.
“My mom inspires me so much because knowing that she is always there for me and can do anything she puts her mind to, motivates me to go above and beyond knowing the sky is not the limit,” Ton said.
Her advice to younger swimmers?
“Find some really good friends in the sport. There are countless days where you might feel vulnerable, alone and frustrated to the point where it’s hard to train or find the motivation. But, the friends you make along the way helps because they provide support and motivation when someone might need it. They will make the journey in the sport more enjoyable and always provide the support that you need,” Ton said.
With her sophomore season underway, Alyssa Ton is still just beginning her journey to make waves and become the best version of herself.
