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2023-24 Women's Swimming Roster

David Sinclair Photography
David Sinclair Photography
David Morgan - Stylish Images
David Morgan - Stylish Images
David Sinclair Photography
David Sinclair Photography
David Morgan - Stylish Images
David Morgan - Stylish Images

Melissa Leonard

  • Height 5-7
  • Year Senior
  • Hometown Dallas, Pa.
  • High School Dallas
  • Events Mid-Distance/IM

Biography

JUNIOR (2022-23): Named Most Outstanding Performer at Centennial Conference Championships … Named CC Women’s Swimmer of the Year … Won the gold medal in the 200, 500, and 1650-yard freestyle … Earned Second Team All-CC Honors during the 800 Freestyle Relay … Placed 25th overall at Nationals in the 200-yard backstroke, with a personal best time of 2:03.88, which ranks second all-time in School History … Placed 30th overall in the 200-yard freestyle at Nationals … Twice Named the Centennial Conference Women’s Swimmer of the Week (12/6/22 and 1/31/23) … Collected two first-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (25:01) and 100 back (1:00.45) in dual meet victory over York College (10/29) … Broke the Elliot Pool Record in the 200-yard backstroke (2:08.31) against Widener (11/5) … Collected a trio of victories in the 200 (1:51.92), 500 (4:58.36), and 1650-yard freestyle (17:21.67) at the Gettysburg Invitational (12/3) … Tallied the fastest time in the 200 free (1:56.28) and 100 free (53.73) in team’s victory over Washington College (1/21) … Earned first-place finishes in the 100 (53.59) and 1000-yard freestyle (10:26.07) events during team’s dual meet victory over Dickinson (1/28).

SOPHOMORE (2022): Named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer at Centennial Conference Championships ... At CC Championships, earned first-place finishes in the 200 Free, 500 Free, & 1650 Freestyle events ... Holds the second fastest time in school history in three separate events (500 Free, 1000 Free, 1650 Free) ... Named to the 2022 PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Team ... Named Centennial Conference Swimmer of the Week (12/7) after earning three individual golds at the Gettysburg Invitational (200 Free, 500 Free, & 1650 Free). 

FRESHMAN (2020-21): Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Before Ursinus: Five-time district champion at Dallas High School ... Won 200 free individual titles each of her last three seasons and broke district record as a senior, when she placed third in the state in the 200 free and fourth in the 500 free ... Also claimed district gold in 500 free as a sophomore and junior ... Placed fourth in the state in 400 free relay and sixth in 200 free relay as a sophomore ... Team won district titles as a freshman and sophomore and was state runner-up her sophomore year ... Three-year National Honor Society member and High Honors student

Personal: Born April 24, 2002 ... Daughter of Joseph and Jane Leonard ... Siblings are Michelle (22) and Jennifer (18) ... Mathematics major

Why Ursinus? When I walked onto campus I just felt at home and I loved the team and the coaches here.

Honors:

  • Named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer at Centennial Conference Championships (2021-2022)
  • Centennial Conference Swimmer of the Week (12/7)
  • Centennial Conference Swimmer of the Week (1//31)
  • Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll 2022
  • 2022 PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Team 
  • 2022-23 NCAA National Qualifier
  • Centennial Conference Swimmer of the Year (2022-23)
  • Most Outstanding Performer at CC Championships (2022-23)

Historical Player Information

  • 2020-21First-Year

    Mid-Distance/IM
    5'7"
  • 2021-22Sophomore

    Mid-Distance/IM
    5'7"
  • 2022-23Junior

    Mid-Distance/IM
    5'7"
  • 2023-24Senior

    Mid-Distance/IM
    5'7"