The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mayfield senior excited for freshman, Butler commitment
Times are a little different on Wilson Mills Road for Gianna Leffler.
For much of her career at Mayfield, she has been the young standout on veteran relays, or the emerging standout in her signature event, 100-yard backstroke.
Then her senior season comes — and a big freshman class arrives.
Now, Leffler is the veteran influence, and she’s enjoying every minute of that time.
In a Jan. 9 dual against visiting Lake Catholic, Leffler took optimism from a solid 100 back and quality work on relays.
But as much, perhaps in some facets even more so, she is relishing the development of a group of ninthgraders that will carry the proverbial banner for the program upon her exit to college swimming.
Freshmen Danielle Grande (sixth, 200 free and seventh, 500 free) and Lauren Furnas (eighth, 200 IM and fourth, 100 breast) are among News-Herald coverage area leaders in respective individual events.
“It’s actually really exciting,” Leffler said. “It was kind of disappointing, be
cause we swam well, but not as fast as we thought we could. I’m excited to see what the freshmen can do. They’ve never swam in a big meet like we’re about to swim. I think they’re excited, and (Coach Rick Balcam and I) are very excited to see how well they can do and how far they can move on this season.
“I was so lucky to be able to be brought up by such amazing and talented swimmers, some that have really impacted this program. And I hope that I’m impacting them in the best way that I can. I’ve never been the leader. All three years, I’ve been the youngest on the relay. So I’m really excited to try and inspire them to swim as fast as they can, because I know they can go a lot faster than what they think they can.”
Leffler has a similar tale to swimmers across Ohio as far as being out of the water for an extended period, after her breakthrough to make a Division I ‘B’ final at state in 100 back.
‘I was out for around three months,” Leffler said. “I swam (senior championships) after state, and that was my last meet until I swam the big winter championship in the beginning of December. That was my first big meet. So it’s been rough getting back into shape. I’m starting to feel like I’m getting somewhere now. I’m really excited to see what happens.”
Her future is set as well, as Leffler announced in late 2020 that she has committed to swim in college at Butler.
Times may be a little different on Wilson Mills Road, but she’s excited for what the present and future holds.
“Definitely, I just thought it was the perfect fit for me school-wise and swimmingwise,” Leffler said. “I’m so excited. Recruiting with COVID has been a really big challenge. I just felt like it was the best situation. The coaches were amazing. Even though I hadn’t been able to do an in-person visit, I definitely felt like it’s a great fit for me and I’m super excited for next year.”