Leah Treglia breaks own record in 100 backstroke

Leah Treglia gripped the starting platform ahead of the 100 backstroke, a race in which she set the Suffolk county record in 2021.

Just 54.58 seconds later, Treglia, a senior on Hauppauge/Smithtown, not only broke her own record but also qualified as an automatic All-American in the Suffolk county swimming finals. Earlier, she qualified for the state meet in the 100 butterfly (55.81) and was named the county’s most outstanding swimmer.

“It definitely means a lot, it’s my senior year,” Treglia said. “[I have been] training a lot over these past years since seventh grade and working really hard.”

Treglia’s individual accomplishment was just one highlight of Hauppauge/Smithtown’s day. The team finished first with 375 points. Half Hollow Hills/Kings Park placed second with 306, and Ward Melville was third with 241.

Treglia kicked off the meet’s first event as the lead in the 200 medley relay with a 25.44 lap. But it was Sofia Burns who anchored and had the fastest time of 24.30.

 Those two plus Sarah Lucca and Madison Dominger comprised the group that finished in first place and earned an All-American consideration for the 1:45.55 finish. Burns knew breaking the record was a possibility heading into her lap, but she tried not to think about it.

“I just try to do my best, push the hardest I can, so it’s not just constantly coming up in my mind,” Burns said.

Burns qualified for the state meet in two individual races, but she was also the third leg in the 400 freestyle relay that won the event with 3:32.22, beating the team’s seed time by over six seconds.

Treglia anchored that race, which ended the county finals. She anchored and led one relay each, which both won and at least qualified for the state meet.

“It’s the first swim of the meet, everyone’s a little nervous,” Treglia said. “It’s definitely a little uneasy. Once we get to the last event of the meet, it’s just completely two different attitudes. It’s all exciting, we’re pumped. We know that we’re ready to go.”

Treglia and her teammates will travel to Rochester for the state finals on Nov. 17-18. Other state qualifiers include Shoreham-Wading River’s Emily Herr in the 200 freestyle (1:51.50) and 500 freestyle (5:04.22); Center Moriches’ Noelle Jordan in the 100 butterfly (56.87) and 100 backstroke (1:00.17); and Babylon’s Kate O’Brien in the 200 freestyle (1:55.58) and 100 butterfly (58.45).

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