Female Spotlight Athlete of the Week Leah Shackley

Mar. 11—Name: Leah Shackley

School: Bedford

Age: 17

Grade: 12

Sport: Swimming

Parents: Tom and Jessica Shackley, of Bedford

Athletic achievements: Eight-time District 6 Class 2A champion, six-time PIAA medalist, four-time PIAA Class 2A gold medalist, state record-holder in the 100-yard backstroke and 100 butterfly, 2023 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships winner in the 50 butterfly and 2023 Junior National Championships victor in the 200 backstroke.

Coach's quote: "It has been such an honor to work with Leah over the past five years. Our journey will come to a close at the U.S. Olympic Trials this summer, and after that, I can't wait to see what great things she does in and out of the water." — Blair Regional YMCA and Shackley's swim coach Tom Grassadonia

Favorite subject: History

Favorite movie: "Legally Blonde"

Favorite video game: "Fortnite"

Favorite food: Chipotle

Favorite teacher (subject taught): Karen Biddle (algebra)

Favorite song: "We are the People" by Empire of the Sun

Favorite app on your phone: FaceTime

Outside interests: Work at Hollister

If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?: An eagle so I could fly

Favorite athletic team: Buffalo Bills

Athlete most admired: Westmont Hilltop's Riley Kohan

Most influential person on my athletic career: North Carolina State freshman swimmer Daniel Diehl

Most impressive athlete that you have competed against: Bosnia & Herzegovina swimmer Lana Pudar

Proudest athletic achievement: Winning the 50 butterfly gold medal representing Team USA at the 2023 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel

How I got my start: Swimming lessons at the Cumberland (Maryland) YMCA

Achieving a national age group record. — Jake Oswalt