Ben Fox
Ben Fox first got his feet wet at 3 months old—in a pool that is. That’s when mom Tracy Catapano Fox started taking her infant for swimming lessons in a Mommie & Me class at the Jamaica YMCA.
When Ben turned 2 they moved on to the Forest Hills Jewish Center for a program called Take Me to the Water, until 2009, when Ben went into Safety Swim and had 1-on-1 private instructional lessons until 2011.
But nearly 2 years ago, it became quite evident that his interest in swimming was more than some type of a passing fancy and he was pressing to go further. He was swimming on a team, the Ocean side Sharks, the coach of which said Ben was “too good for our team.”
And so it was time to move on. “I’ve always been a tremendous fan of Y’s,” said Tracy Catapano-Fox., “I think they are a great resource to the community and have wonderful opportunities for children.” That’s how Ben wound up at the Y on Northern Boulevard, home of the Flushing Flyers, the fastest swimming team in NYS for the last 27 years.
Ben attended tryouts in July of 2011 but didn’t make the “A” team. Instead, the coach offered him a spot on the B team which is a developmental team, far less competitive and according to Ben, “not where I wanted to be.”
Armed with determination and a love for the sport he has known for more than 10 years, Ben decided he was going to be a Flushing Flyer and quickly.
He made a chart of times for himself, calculating how much time he’d need to shave off in order to solidify his position. The chart was finished on October 5 and by October 6 he had shattered every one of his personal goals. Having secured his place on the “A” team, Ben Fox was getting ready for one of the biggest moments of his life: swimming at the state championships in Ithaca as a Flushing Flyer in March—only 8 months after he had failed to make the team.
And in what was the Flyers 27th victory as NYS Champs, Ben Fox was not only part of the team, he won several events contributing 17 points to the teams winning total. Ben and only one other team member in the 10 & under category scored individual points.
Coaches now shake their heads as to how the newest Flyer could have spent even one lap on the B team.
Between October 12, 2012 and March 13, 2013 Ben has amassed a total of 15 medals and ribbons for his times in numerous strokes. And although he has claimed the freestyle as his favorite he swims the backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke as well.
Ben Fox smiles after counting through the collection of ribbons and medals he has amassed in a few short years. Proud mom Tracy looks on.
Ben swims 5 days a week, 2 hours a day. On Saturday’s he has private instruction for between 1 and 1 1/2 hours. Meets are also scheduled for weekends—the warm-ups for which begin at 6 a.m. And for the Fox’s: mom, dad Charlie, brother Ethan and Ben—swimming is a family affair. “We do it all together Ben says, “We try our best, we do our best.” In addition to the swimming Ben’s has a mandatory exercise routine which includes squats, lunges, leg lifts and jumping jacks.
What is so impressive about Ben’s swimming is his great speed. Athletes sometimes put endless laps in around the pool just to shave a tenth of a second off their times; but for Ben, the norm is reducing his times by two to three seconds at a clip.
“I focus on going faster when I’m in the pool. I love the competitive meets,” he says with the wide eyed eagerness of a child. And conversely, with the wisdom of a sage, “I know I have to step it up every single day if I’m going to the Olympics one day.”
For Ben the plan is to follow in the footsteps of his swimming idol, Michael Phelps, but for now he’s concentrating on keeping the Flyers at the head of the pack, and working his way toward a place in Junior Olympic trials and programs. He hopes to attend Scholar’s Academy where, as on might have guessed, there is a swim team.
When asked what he most likes about swimming, Ben’s answers offer much more insight than information. “It’s not such a dangerous sport but it’s still so much fun.” After pausing he continues, “Swimming teaches you a lot of lessons, like how to set goals and meet them. It helps with a lot of other stuff.”
We’ll bet it does Ben. We’re also willing to bet The Forum will be writing about you again. From pool side at the Olympics, because we’re gonna hold you to the promise for those tickets.
If you know of an child with a special gift or talent who would like to participate in a Forum feature such as this piece, please contact The Forum for an interview at 718.845.3221
By Patricia Adams
