Pro Lacrosse Player Alex Aust Showed Beauty and Strength During Her SI Swim Photoshoot in New Jersey

She took the chance to inspire and represent other burgeoning athletes, from young women to pros.

Martha Zaytoun | Jan 4, 2024

Alex Aust was photographed by Yu Tsai in Atlantic City.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

When Alex Aust applied to the 2021 SI Swim Search process, she wasn’t merely hoping for a chance to be featured on the pages of that year’s SI Swimsuit issue. She was hoping for the opportunity to inspire, as well.

And that’s exactly what she did when she was named a finalist for the year and traveled to Atlantic City alongside photographer Yu Tsai and the 12 other finalists. Sure, she did pose for a series of absolutely stunning photos in various vibrant one-pieces and bikinis, but Aust also took the chance to explain exactly why she felt that her presence on the pages was important.

“I represent the sporty girl. I represent anyone who trains for something that’s bigger than themselves,” she said during the open casting call process. Aust, who currently plays professional lacrosse in the AU Pro Lacrosse league in Maryland, served as an inspiration for other athletic women when she posed on the beaches of New Jersey.

But her message wasn’t just for pro athletes. It was likewise for “the young female ... [who’s] picking up a sport for the first time,” she explained. She was there in the hopes of representing and inspiring each and every athlete. And she had a good reminder to share while she was at it: “Confidence is our superpower,” she said. “We don’t have to find it. It’s already inside of us.”

The inspiring message was only part of the story, though. The feature also included some pretty incredible photos. Here are a few of our favorites.

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Published Jan 4, 2024

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.