Riley Leach - 2026-27 Women's Swimming & Diving Roster
Riley Leach
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Height:
- 5-7
- Hometown:
- Sarasota, Fla.
- Position:
- Breast, IM
2025-26 (Fr.)
200 Butterfly - 2:01.76
200 IM - 2:01.25
400 IM - 4:15.46
American Conference Individual Medalist Honor (1)
2026 400 IM (2nd)
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty is the perfect mix of pursuing relationship with Christ as well as excelling in athletics
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
I've always looked up to my mother; she has shown me how to be grateful for our everyday blessings. She has taught me how to persevere through trials while still keeping your love for others
What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
After scoring second at conference in the 400 IM, I walked to the bleachers, and the whole team was cheering and hugging me, and then I went to hug Coach Jessica too. I was so proud to help and represent my team and feel supported.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My father competed shot put and discus at the University of Wisconsin. My mother played soccer at the University of Evansville. My brother swam for a year at Gardner Webb University.
Do you possess any special or unique talents, interests, or hobbies?
I love cooking, fishing and playing guitar.
- Focused on butterfly and IM as a freshman
- Earned A Finals swims in 200 IM and 400 IM at American Conference Championship, highlighted by runner-up finish in 400 IM
- Enters sophomore season ranked third in program history in the 400 IM (4:15.46) and eighth in both the 200 fly (2:00.31) and 200 IM (2:01.25)
- Recorded first career conference podium finish, dropping over three seconds from her qualifying time to place second in 400 IM A Final (4:15.46) at American Conference Championship
- Finished seventh in American Conference 200 IM A Final in 2:01.25 after qualifying in 2:01.62
- Qualified for 200 fly B Final at American Conference Championship in 2:02.73 before finishing tied for 14th overall with her 2:02.74 in the evening
- Claimed six individual-event victories during the regular season, including a 400 IM win at the TYR ’85 Invite
- Placed second in 200 fly at TYR ’85 Invite with a lifetime-best 2:00.31 in the A Final
- Graduated from Florida Virtual School
- Competed for Riverview High School
- In club swimming, competed for Sarasota Sharks and Sarasota Tsunami
- Daughter of Peter Leach and Stacey Smit
- Father threw shot and discus at Wisconsin
- Mother played soccer at Evansville
- Brother, Bergen Leach, swam at Gardner-Webb
- Intends to major in public health, with the goal to pursue a nursing degree and excel somewhere in the medical field
- Birthday is May 10
200 Butterfly - 2:01.76
200 IM - 2:01.25
400 IM - 4:15.46
American Conference Individual Medalist Honor (1)
2026 400 IM (2nd)
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty is the perfect mix of pursuing relationship with Christ as well as excelling in athletics
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
I've always looked up to my mother; she has shown me how to be grateful for our everyday blessings. She has taught me how to persevere through trials while still keeping your love for others
What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
After scoring second at conference in the 400 IM, I walked to the bleachers, and the whole team was cheering and hugging me, and then I went to hug Coach Jessica too. I was so proud to help and represent my team and feel supported.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My father competed shot put and discus at the University of Wisconsin. My mother played soccer at the University of Evansville. My brother swam for a year at Gardner Webb University.
Do you possess any special or unique talents, interests, or hobbies?
I love cooking, fishing and playing guitar.
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, January 06
Wednesday, August 06
Friday, December 13
