50 Years, 50 Titans: Leia Federiconi

Some Titan swimmers become a member of our family when they are still toddling around and end up swimming with us all the way through college. That is the case for our next spotlight swimmer: Leia Federiconi

Leia started swimming at the ripe age of 3 at Transit Valley Country Club, coached by none other than the famous Scott Vanderzell. After a few years at Transit Valley she progressed to the Town of Tonawanda Titans. Leia went to Nardin Academy for High School and swam for the Gators all four years, and eventually becoming captain her senior year. She was recruited by the D1 Providence College Friars and swam all four years in the Big East Conference.

Leia is currently living in Boston, MA working as a digital marketing project manager for a technology company. But she is never too far from home as she will be back in Buffalo this October to marry her college sweetheart.

Fun Fact about Leia:

- She was very superstitious before each swim meet. She drank the same flavored Gatorade (orange), ate the same meals all weekend (mostly pasta), practiced the same warm-up every morning, and snacked on Swedish Fish & pop-tarts between events!

Quick Q & A with Leia:

Q: When did you become a member of the Titan family?

A: I joined Titans at a young age (my mom told me I was 6), and I worked my way through each level of the program – Stroke Development – Level 8!

Q: What is your favorite memory about being a Titan?

A: My favorite memory was at Super Sectionals in Pittsburgh, PA, the last meet of the summer before starting college and on the last day. Most of the team had gone home or were headed to Junior Nationals with Scott. The only people left on the bench were our 400medley relay team of Clare Battaglia, Haley Rice, Lindsey Sagasta, and myself along with Tim, Randall, Frances, my mom, and Mrs. Battaglia. We swam our hearts out, the race was neck & neck the entire time! Our relay team came together and won the event…in front of a sparse audience! We had to FaceTime Scott to show him proof that we won! Everyone was crying…even Tim!

Q: What is your least favorite stroke or event?

A: I was a breastroker, and loved to swim the IM’s (400 & 200); however, after my races when I would walk over to Scott to check my splits he would always give me a confusing look. He would say, “I don’t understand how your breaststroke splits were always faster than your backstroke”. Needless to say, I hated swimming backstroke!

A huge Congratulations and Best Wishes to Leia and her future groom and thank you for sharing your memories with us. Did you swim with Leia? Let us know in the comments!