Leah Smith To Coaches On 400 IM: 'Just Put Me In It'
Jul 3, 2017
2017 U.S. National Championships & Worlds Trials
June 27 - July 1, 2017Indianapolis, Indiana
IUPUI Natatorium
LIVE RESULTS
Leah Smith -- 2016 Olympian in the 400 and 800 freestyle -- literally begged her coaches to swim the 400 IM this year, according to her at least. In the video interview above, Smith notes, "I kind of talked a lot of smack to my coaches. I told them I could be good in this event (400 IM), just put me in it."
That's what makes Smith so special. How many swimmers plead with their coaches to swim the 400 IM? Not many. Just how tough is Leah Smith? Check out her lineup for the 2017 World Championships: 200-400-800-1500m freestyle and 400m IM. Assuming she finals in every event and swims finals of the 4x200m freestyle relay -- that is 11 races and 6,800 meters of racing. Woah.
Clearly dabbling in the 400m IM this past week at the 2017 U.S. Nationals and World Championship Trials paid large dividends for Smith as she took the win in dominating fashion. Her time of 4:33.86 is the third fastest time in the world this year. Can we see her medal in this event in Budapest? Only time will tell.
Check out the video interview above to hear her full thoughts on the race, including swimming an event that many doubted her in.
Women 400m IM -- FULL RESULTS
World: 4:26.36 -- 8/6/2016 -- Katinka HosszuAmerican: 4:31.12 -- 6/29/2008 -- Katie Hoff
U.S. Open: 4:31.07 -- 6/19/2015 -- Katinka Hosszu
LC Nationals: 4:31.12 -- 6/29/2008 -- Katie Hoff
JR World: 4:39.01 -- 8/25/2015 -- Rosie Rudin
1.) Leah Smith -- 4:33.86 (Qualified)
2.) Elizabeth Beisel -- 4:38.55 (Qualified)
3.) Brooke Forde -- 4:39.19
4.) Ally McHugh -- 4:40.25
5.) Madisyn Cox -- 4:40.39
6.) Brooke Zeiger -- 4:44.57
*DSQ* Ella Eastin -- "swimming more than 1/4 of race backstroke"
*DSQ* Bethany Galat -- "swimming more than 1/4 of race backstroke"
---
