Former U.S. National Teamer Bridgette Alexander Retires from Swimming

Former U.S. National Team swimmer Bridgette Alexander has announced her retirement from elite swimming. Alexander’s best seasons was 2017 where she finished 4th in the 200 back at the World Championship Trials in the 200 backstroke to qualify for the World University Games and went on to earn a bronze medal there in the same event.

In a lengthy social media post, Alexander expressed gratitude both to the sport and to the people who helped her along the way.

“I have decided to hang up the competition suit and goggles. 16 years of utter joy, passion, and lessons that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world. It’s hard to put to words the love I had and still have for this sport..but all I know to do is to thank each and every person who has ever believed in me and supported me along this fantastic ride. From Milton to Taipei.. what a ride it’s been.”

Alexander went on to thank several people individually. Her full words are at the end of this post.

While competing as an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky, Alexander earned 4 All-America awards, including 3 straight honorable mention recognitions in the 200 back.

In 2019, her best finish at U.S. Nationals was a 21st-place finish in the 200 back in 2:14.27. She was also 23rd in the 100 back.

Alexander is currently a volunteer assistant with the collegiate programs at the University of Kentucky, and says that she plans to continue to pursue college coaching now that she’s done with her professional swimming career.

Alexander’s full Instagram post is below:

How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard? For those closest to me.. you may have seen this coming. Others.. this might come as a bit of a shock. But either way, after a lot of thinking, and praying.. I have decided to hang up the competition suit and goggles. 16 years of utter joy, passion, and lessons that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world. It’s hard to put to words the love I had and still have for this sport.. but all I know to do is to thank each and every person who has ever believed in me and supported me along this fantastic ride. From Milton to Taipei.. what a ride it’s been.

To my mom&dad: thank you for loving me, for instilling this joy for what I do in me.. you’re endless support and love got me as far as I did and I don’t how I could ever repay you.
Lars: I don’t have enough room to tell you how much I appreciate you, but you know in your heart. Thank you for giving me all of the opportunities to be a successful young woman. I can’t wait to follow along in your footsteps to become even half of the head collegiate coach you are. I can’t wait for what is in store for us in this next chapter of my life.
Cheri: You believed in what I could do before anyone else did.. even me. I can’t thank you enough for getting me ready to compete at the highest level of our sport, and instilling qualities within me that I still carry today. I hope you know your value in my life.

My teammates& friends from near and far: Follow your heart, go for your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.. if I can achieve my goals and go after my dreams, so can you. I believe in you. Thank you for believing in me.
Dan &my A3 Performance family: thank you for seeing my talents and abilities as more than just what was in the pool. You allowed me to pursue and follow a dream that I had had since I was a little girl. A professional swimmer?! I will forever be grateful and excited about getting the chance to represent such an amazing company and family.

This part of my journey may be getting cut short, but I know in my heart it is the right decision for me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart❤️ New beginnings..