Lane 9 News Archive: On Campus: Emory Sophomore Leigh Psaris

On Campus: Emory Sophomore Leigh Psaris -- September 5, 2007

By Brian Savard

SELINSGROVE, Pennsylvania, September 5. THE On Campus series continues with a closer look at Emory sophomore Leigh Psaris.

Psaris swam in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships and placed third in the 500 freestyle (4:59.41), third in the 100 butterfly (55.96) and second in the 200 butterfly (2:02.71). Psaris also competed on some of the Emory relays, including its fifth-place 400 medley relay (3:53.69), third-place 800 freestyle relay (7:32.03) and second-place 400 freestyle relay (3:26.98).

Psaris hails from Waterford, Va., and attended high school at The Madeira School where she swam for four years and captained the team her senior season. While at The Madeira School, Psaris broke four state records and garnered four All-American honors as well. At Emory, Psaris is a double major in finance and accounting.

What is your favorite movie?
Fight Club

What one song psyches you up the most before a race?
Any rap song

Activities on campus (other than swimming)?
Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
Coaching

Collegiate awards won (both academic and athletic)?
UAA 2006 Rookie of the Year (swimming)

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Working somewhere in the business world…but I am not really sure where my life is going to go yet.

What made you choose the college that you attend?
The amazing balance between great athletics and great academics.

At what point in your swimming career did you realize your talent as an elite swimmer?
I honestly don't know the answer to that question…I have always loved to swim and I guess if I had to pick a point I would have to say maybe when I made my first Jr. National cuts when I was 15.

What are your goals for the 2007-08 season?
I am always looking to improve my times; Individually and as a team I would love to place higher at NCAAs than I/we did last year.

What advice would you give to a high school swimmer with your talent looking at colleges?
Go where you know that you will not only make an impact but where you will have room to improve.

What is the most difficult challenge that you've had to overcome in your swimming career?
Staying focused and not caving to pressure.

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