OA Grad Applies Lessons Learned in High School

Oliver Ames alumni and president of the class of 2011, Alexander Spencer, is taking lessons learned and his endurance training from competing in sports to his new school, Harvard.

Spencer, former OA ski team captain and varsity soccer player, is familiar with what it takes to be a varsity athlete from his time at OA.

“My leadership skills come from playing soccer and being a captain on ski team," he said. "Harvard is a different setting, but the rules are the same."

Spencer is taking what he learned at OA and applying it at the college level. However this time, he is trading in his skis and soccer cleats for an 8-man crew boat.

Spencer knew when he was accepted to Harvard the spring of his senior year of High School, he was going to try out for crew.

“Harvard has a world-class program, accessible coaches and allows for a lot of opportunity for young coxswain,” noted Spencer.

When he first arrived at the Harvard boathouse in September, his years of hardcore endurance training with Oliver Ames head soccer John Barata kicked in.

“Training and running for extended periods of time is something I was ready for from my time at OA. Even though this time around, I was training with a few National team and club members, I didn’t let that intimidate me,” Spencer said.

Spencer worked hard during the fall crew season at Harvard, which ended Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Foot of the Charles competition. Spencer, coxswain for Harvard’s lightweight freshman A boat, managed to top his lightweight competition's fastest entry. His boat finished just one spot behind sixth-place MIT, outcompeting crews from Brown, BU, Northeastern and Syracuse.

Spencer noted that his time at OA didn’t just prepare him for athletic competition; it also prepared him for what it takes to be a student athlete.

“During my four years at OA, my teachers and coaches really emphasized the importance of school and sports – always saying that school came first. The same goes at Harvard, so it was not a new concept for me.”

Editor's Note: The author of this story, Courtney Jansson, is Alex Spencer's sister.