LA Current’s Leah Smith Pulled Out of Lewisville Due to Neck Injury

2019 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE: GROUP B, MATCH 1

The LA Current have made many last-minute changes to their Lewisville roster to open ISL Group B’s competition. Among the unexpected changes, Leah Smith was suddenly taken off the roster for the opening day in Lewisville.

According to the ESPN commentators, Smith suddenly withdrew from day one due to an ‘aggravated neck’. Today, Smith would have likely swum for the LA Current in the 400 IM and 200 free events. In lieu of Smith, Anastasia Gorbenko joined Ella Eastin in the 400 IM and finished 7th. In the 200 free, Katie McLaughlin and Eastin were used, with Eastin the likely replacement for Smith.

The Current will still have to find a replacement for Smith in the 400 free on Sunday. There’s nobody obvious on the roster to take that spot, so it will probably be Gorbenko or McLaughlin or Eastin just trying to hit the standard.

Currently, Smith is training under a new coach after her personal coach Cory Chitwood left the University of Arizona program and Smith opted to remain in Tucson. She was a no-show for several Pro Swim Series races last season after entering as well.

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Jane Dressel's Vertical Leap
4 years ago

Noooo, Leah, don’t go down this path! (Speaking as someone who’s dealt with an injured neck for four years now.) Get it treated! Rest up! Get well soon! Don’t change that awesome no-chill stroke of yours!

Superfan
Reply to  Jane Dressel's Vertical Leap
4 years ago

Unfortunately Leah has had these issues for a couple years!

Corn Pop
4 years ago

All swimmers should produce evidence in late withdrawal from a drug tested event . You want the money you give documentation like in the real world .

Lane 8
4 years ago

Hope she recovers and will be good enough to race in Budapest!

Coach
4 years ago

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Coach Mike 1952
4 years ago

Hope she is / will be ok

About Nick Pecoraro

Nick Pecoraro

Nick has had the passion for swimming since his first dive in the water in middle school, immediately falling for breaststroke. Nick had expanded to IM events in his late teens, helping foster a short, but memorable NCAA Div III swim experience at Calvin University. While working on his B.A. …

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