5 Reasons to Cheer for Olympian Leah Smith in Rio

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

By Caitlin Daday, Swimming World College Intern

Leah Smith is one of America’s rising distance stars. After finishing second to Katie Ledecky in the 400 and 800 meter freestyles, as well as taking third in the 200 meter freestyle, she has qualified for her first Olympic Team. Although this is her first Olympics, Smith is no stranger to swimming success.

As a rising senior at the University of Virginia, Smith has won 4 individual NCAA titles and is an 11-time All-American. She also has a wealth of national and international experience, having represented the U.S. on numerous international teams. This past year, she won gold as part of the 4×200 meter freestyle relay at the World Championships in Kazan, as well as 2 golds at the World University Games (400 meter freestyle, 4×200 meter freestyle relay). In addition to her recent accomplishments, here are some reasons to cheer for her in Rio:

1. She comes from a long line of athletes.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The Smith family is well-acquainted with athletic success. Leah is the family’s first Olympian, but her older sister swam collegiately at Columbia, and her father was a pole vaulter at UVA. Her older brother plays Division III baseball, and her younger brother swims at the Naval Academy. Most notably, her great-grandfather, Jimmy Smith, was a World Series Champion, and her great-uncle, Billy Conn, was a World Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Being a great athlete is in her blood, and there is no doubt she will live up to her family’s champion legacy in Rio.

2. She has dreamt about the Olympics since the age group days.

Photo Courtesy: Brooke Wright

Because her mother did not know how to swim, Leah began taking swim lessons at the age of 5. Although initially needing to be urged and bribed by her mother, she quickly fell in love with the sport. By 10 she began realizing how far swimming could take her. She started setting goals of qualifying for the big meets and winning major events. From a young age Leah Smith was determined to make the Olympic team. At 21, she has achieved that dream.

3. She has come a long way since 2012.

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

After touching the wall in her 400 freestyle at this year’s Olympic Trials, it became quite obvious that Smith has made great improvements since her last trip to Omaha. In 2012, she took the year off of high school swimming in order to focus on Trials and the Olympics. At the Trials, however, she came up short. Her times were not what she had wanted, and she ended up finishing 12^th in the 800 and 14^th in the 400. Throughout the last four years she has rebounded from her disappointment to keep swimming lifetime bests and now make the team.

4. She’s a team player.

Photo Courtesy: UVa Media Relations

During her career thus far at the University of Virginia, representing her team has always been extremely important to her. Freshman year following her 3^rd and 9^th place finishes at the NCAA Championships, Smith was disappointed not for her own sake, but because she wished to have scored more points for her team. Team goals are important to her, and with that mindset she is sure to do Team USA proud.

5. She saw Katie Ledecky’s feet.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

It has been clear since the last Olympics that Katie Ledecky is the most dominant force in women’s distance swimming. Since her gold medal in London, she has essentially been untouchable. As a result, the achievements of other distance stars like Leah Smith may get overshadowed. But at the Trials, Smith was closer to Ledecky than most other competitors have ever gotten—she saw her feet. In the 400 freestyle race Smith finished less than two seconds behind Ledecky and posted the second best time in the world this year. In addition, her 800 time was 3^rd in the world for this year, though a bit further behind Ledecky. With these kinds of performances at the Trials, she and Ledecky will certainly make a dominant distance duo in Rio.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

10 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Pat Kennedy

7 years ago

The entire Pittsburgh swimming community will be cheering for Leah (and the entire USA Team). Good Luck in Rio and SWIM FAST!!!

Pam Kirsch Magnan

7 years ago

Go Leah! Wahoowa!

Cynthia Granata

7 years ago

Caitlin Jokubaitis

Lorraine Wagner

7 years ago

What a great well deserved article!!! Leah we are so proud of you! Mt. Lebanon, Oakland Catholic, Your
extended family, and anyone who knows you!

Laura Semonche Jones

7 years ago

This house is cheering for Leah! And sometimes I even get to talk to her in the locker room. Although I am still tired from the time I swam a set of 100s next to her. Swallowed her wake the whole time and it was so cool! (Wait, I sound crazy……)

Yvonne Whelan

7 years ago

Dani Cunningham

M Sopko

7 years ago

Not only is she an swimmer, but she is an amazing young lady. Best of luck Leah.

David and Kay

7 years ago

From Marietta, Georgia: we are in your fan club and will be cheering for you!
Go Leah!!

Pittsburgh Swim Coach

7 years ago

Making Pittsburgh and the AMS proud!!!! Go leah!!!

Carole flaherty

7 years ago

From your cojsins in NJ ,- bring home the gold- Carole.Ann, and all the McGhee kids