By Arlene Douglas, Swim with a Purpose
PISCATAWAY, New Jersey, May 28. NATIONAL Junior Team member Meghan Leddy, of the Eastern Express, captured four events at the Berkeley Aquatic Club Memorial Day Invitational.
Her winning streak started with a decisive victory in the 400-meter IM. Leddy distanced herself from the rest of the field in the backstroke before winning with a 4:59.41, short of her Olympic Trials seed time of 4:51.46. She also took gold in the 200 IM with a time of 2:24.16.
"I am pleased with my swims for this time of the season," said Leddy, 16. "I can't wait to start our long-course training next month."
Leddy showed her dominance in the backstroke, winning both the 100 and 200 in Junior National qualifying times.
Meanwhile, the big talk on deck was 12-year-old Lia Neal of Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics. Lia claimed victory in the women's open 50 free in a time of 27.46 and the 100 free in a time of 59.81.
"I had lots of fun at this meet," said Lia. "It was a great opportunity to compete against so many fast swimmers."
Additionally, this meet was critical for Sean Lane, 16, of the Long Island Aquatic Club, who was trying to achieve a Senior National cut in the 1500. Spectators rallied behind him as he sprinted the last 200 meters to set a meet record in a Senior National time of 16:01.11.
Click here for meet results.