Leach hopes to be leader

Last season at the Big Ten championship, sophomore Matt Leach wrote himself into the IU record books as he recorded a fifth-best all time school record in the 100-yard backstroke. Now, in the midst of another season and with Big Tens approaching in February, Leach is hoping he'll be able to take over first place.\n"It'll be really hard but I think I can do it," Leach said. "I'm a lot faster this year and I think I can take even more time off from my previous Big Ten swim from last year. I just keep taking baby steps, that is what it's all about. I think I can be a big impact swimmer at Big Tens." \nAt the Big Tens last year, Leach finished behind then senior backstroker Will Bernhardt in both the 100- and 200- yard events. This year, head coach Kris Kirchner expects Leach to lead the way in the events.\n"He has really developed from freshman year to this year to be a leader in the backstroke and someone we can count on heavily for performances week by week," Kirchner said. "It's been a learning process for him from his freshman year until now and he's just got to keep getting faster. His ultimate goal is to be at the NCAA level, but he's got to get there."\nLeach began swimming early in childhood, and was already competing by age five under the coaching of his father. \n"I would have to say my dad has been my biggest influence, seeing as how he's always been on the pool deck watching me, taking care of me," Leach said. "He swam at Central Washington and he's been a swim coach ever since I started. It was kind of the way I was brought up. Most people start a little bit later, but I just like being in the water, so I kept doing it." \nA native of Beaverton, Ore., Leach set school records in the 100-yard backstroke, 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard individual medley at Westview High School. When it came time to choose a college, IU catered to all of Leach's wants. \n"There are no swimming colleges in Oregon, so I knew I was going out of state," Leach said. "I looked at Washington and didn't really like it there and California just doesn't turn me on. So, I figured I'd decide on whatever I like the best -- campus, school, all that -- and it turned out to be Indiana."\nTeammate Heath Montgomery, a senior, said Leach has already become a team fixture in the pool as well as in the locker room.\n"As a teammate he brings a backstroke that we really need," Montgomery said. "He's really fast and it's great that we have him. As a person, he brings humor -- he's a funny guy. He's good to have around and he keeps everybody's spirits high." \nIn his spare time, Leach said he enjoys surfing and hanging out with friends. An environmental management major, Leach said he has considered becoming a swimming coach when he graduates, but wants to keep his options open. \n"Right now I just want to swim, take classes and see what I really like," Leach said. \nLeach said he hopes he can continue to get better, both in preparation for this weekend and for Big Tens.\n"I'd like to think that every year I've gotten better," Leach said. "Just me being in the water day in and day out and getting better has been really important"