Leah Smith Returns To Action With 200 Free Win In Mesa (Video)

2018 TYR PRO SWIM SERIES – MESA

• Thursday, April 12 – Sunday, April 15
• Skyline Aquatic Center, Mesa, AZ
• Long Course Meters
• Meet site
• Psych Sheet
• Live Stream
• Thursday Finals Heat Sheet
• Live Results

American Leah Smith has evolved over the last three years into one of the biggest stars on the U.S. women’s team. After swimming on the gold medal winning 800 free relay at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, the 22-year-old won an individual bronze in Rio in the 400 free (along with another relay gold), and then went one better last summer in Budapest, collecting three medals. She even won the 400 IM, an event she wasn’t known for at all, at U.S. World Trials and then placed 6th at Worlds in it.

But after all of this success last year, we haven’t really seen her yet in the 2017-18 season. After moving from Virginia to Arizona, following longtime coach Cory Chitwood, she has yet to race long course this year. Other than an appearance at the Texas Hall of Fame meet (SCY) in November, she hasn’t been in action, entering and then no-showing both of the TYR Pro Series stops thus far.

However, she is back in action this weekend in Mesa, and showed good form on day 1. After taking the #2 time into finals in the 200 freestyle, going 1:59.35, she dropped a few tenths to get down to 1:59.12 and win the event tonight, defeating notable names Allison Schmitt, Melanie Margalis and Mallory Comerford.

Though she didn’t double up with the 400 IM on Thursday, she does have a large program for the rest of the meet with entries in the 800 free, 200 fly, 200 IM and 400 free.