Leah Bauder: A Pope John Lion who never quits
SPARTA, N.J. — Swimming has always been one of the most successful sports at Pope John XXIII Regional High School (PJHS) and the tradition is being carried on through PJHS junior Leah Bauder.
A recent example of Bauder鈥檚 success is her performance in the February 2022 Sussex County Championships. She accumulated 32 points following four total wins in the 100 freestyle (56.18), 100 breaststroke (1:10.22), 200 medley relay (1:58.20) and 200 freestyle relay (1:47.74), contributing greatly to PJHS sweeping the event.
Bauder also swims on the Sussex County YMCA club team, constantly working to improve in a sport she loves. Her one message to her teammates every practice and every meet is to never give up.
Bauder started swimming at seven years old when her mom signed her up for lessons. After a couple of lessons, the instructor noticed that Bauder was a natural in the pool. Bauder tried multiple sports before deciding that swimming was the one she wanted to pursue. She launched her competitive swimming career by joining a local lake team.
鈥淭he coach said that I could join and, after doing very well, I began to learn how to swim at the lake in terms of strokes,鈥� Bauder recalled. 鈥淭he lake coach came to me and suggested that I should join a club team as the next step.鈥�
Bauder joined a nationally-ranked club team but found that it was tearing away at the fun that she鈥檇 always experienced in swimming. After eight years of swimming with the team, she left.
鈥淎s much as I want to swim in college, I don鈥檛 want to do it at that level,鈥� Bauder explained. 鈥淚f I want to make nationals for high school, I鈥檓 going to do that because I want to do it, not because I鈥檓 being pushed too hard on a team that doesn鈥檛 give me enough attention.鈥�
Bauder decided to join another club team through the Sussex County YMCA which she continues to thoroughly enjoy while also competing for PJHS, contributing to PJHS completing this year鈥檚 season undefeated.
鈥淏auder is definitely a strong contender for one of next year’s captains,鈥� said PJHS senior Lauren Koppelmann. 鈥淥ur team is blessed with so many strong individuals. With Bauder, juniors Abby Panzarella, Summer Guerini and Madison Griffin鈥攖he 2023 senior class鈥攖he team will be full of leadership. I think the girls really understand the strongest fundamental of Pope John swim is the large amount of love we have for each other. The girls will do an amazing job of keeping up the tradition of being a family through the highs and lows.鈥�
Bauder continued, 鈥淥ne main thing I want to accomplish next year is getting one-on-one time with the girls on the team and connecting with them on another level, so that we can all have mutual respect for each other.鈥�
Bauder remarked that the biggest challenge the girls team will face next year will be filling the roles of this year鈥檚 graduating seniors.
鈥淪eniors Koppelmann and Zoe Rizzo both took the time to make sure we were all getting along and they were there for us during our most difficult meets after we had a rough day as a team.鈥�
Bauder wants to emulate the leadership that Koppelmann shows in and out of the pool, creating a family atmosphere.
鈥淭his is my first year here at Pope John and everyone was super welcoming and sweet,鈥� said PJHS sophomore Sera Lam. 鈥淭hey definitely keep the team spirit alive and help motivate the rest of us, which helps keep the streak alive.鈥�
Bauder is excited for her final year at PJHS and is already practicing for next season.
鈥淭his is one of those sports you have to do because you love it,鈥� said Bauder. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 do it just because you want to win. Winning is not everything. It will never be everything.鈥�
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