Lydia Smith is an outstanding three-sport athlete at Williamsport Area High School, having earned ten varsity letters in swimming, soccer, cross country, and track and field. Her prowess in these sports came into play when she recently won a world championship in swimming at the Pontevedra ITU Aquathlon World Championships, in Pontevedra, Spain on May 2, winning the competition over other female athletes in the 16-19 age group.

Her time of 37:05 captured the first-place win by 18 seconds over Lona Gandon, of France, followed by athletes from Australia and Great Britain in third- and fourth-place, respectively.

The Aquathlon is one of the simplest and most accessible forms of multi-sport. It consists of two portions: a swimming and running portion.

The official distances during Smith’s world championship were a 1000 meter swim (about 0.62 miles), followed by a 5K run (3 miles).

Last November, Smith qualified for the world event after competing in Miami’s Aquathlon.
This year, Smith was the District II/IV Class AAA Cross Country Individual Champion, plus won three gold medals in the District II/IV Class AAA swim meet, earning trips to the PIAA State Championship in both sports. She also is one of the top point-getters on the spring track and field team.

“I got into aquathlons just last summer actually,” Lydia told Webb Weekly. “My family and I were doing Triathlon nationals in Cleveland, and my mom looked up triathlon races without the bike portion (because the bike is definitely our weakest part), and she found this race called Aquathlon. So we quickly signed up and found ourselves in Miami, Florida for ITU nationals. Which my mom placed second in her age group, and I placed first in mine. That is how we qualified for our race in Pontevedra, Spain. The race in Spain was incredible; my mom placed fifth in her age group, and I placed first in mine. It was such an incredible experience. I didn’t have a specific Aquathlon coach, but my high school swim coach, and my high school track coaches, along with my mom were in full support and pushed me every day for the race. All of my teammates on the track and in the pool along with my friends and family were so supportive, and I am so beyond thankful I had this opportunity and support system because without them I would not be where I am.”

Her father, Shaun Smith, said, “I think one of the toughest obstacles for Lydia is always practicing for two sports. Lydia has participated in sprint Triathlons including the Lumberjack here in town but always had a hard time fitting in enough training for the bike. The Aquathlon afforded her the ability to concentrate on the two sports where she competes for the Williamsport High School and The Williamsport Area Swim Club.”

Lydia is the youngest of five children and has been exposed to many different types of sports and races. Her Mom, Sue, is an assistant cross country and swim coach and has competed in triathlons for years. The Aquathlon gave them something to do together.