Leia Morris is a junior on the Pinkerton Academy swim team. Placing in the top 12 in the state meet last year, and remaining undefeated in the 100-meter freestyle this season, Morris is having a terrific year for the Astros.

Pinkerton coach Ed Faszewski says that Leia's successes multiply weekly.

"She seems to be improving her 50 and 100 time from week to week," said Faszewski. "She has contributed in freestyle and she's also an excellent backstroker."

Faszewski also notes that Leia's great junior season could translate into an even better senior effort due to the departure of some other competitors in the league. "Some of her biggest competition are some upperclassmen that may be graduating," he said.

To learn what Leia's goals are and what she thinks are her biggest challenges for the state meet and for next year, we go Around the Horn.

How did you get into swimming? "I got into swimming when I was about 5-years-old. My mom put me in swimming lessons and I hated it. By the end I, was the most improved student. Ever since then, I loved it. When I got to high school, I learned about swimming all year."

What's your favorite part about swimming? "I like the races! I like the competitiveness, getting up on the block and leaving it all out in the pool."

What's the most challenging part about what you do? "Coming to practice every day and breaking yourself down at practice. Doing the same thing at practice all the time is tough."

What are your goals for the rest of this season? "I want to place first in the 100-meter freestyle. I believe in myself and I think I can do it."

Do you have any routines before a meet or a practice that you like to follow? "I always listen to my iPod. I go behind the block and listen to a band called Girl Talk. They get me pumped up before the race."

Have you ever placed in a state meet before? "I placed in the top 12 last year - I think I was 10th. I didn't make top 6, and I was really disappointed, so that's why I've been working so hard this year.

Do you think you'll feel pressure to do as well for the rest of the season as you have so far? "Yeah, because so far I've gone undefeated in the 100 freestyle. I feel a lot of pressure to not be beaten in states and stay undefeated."

What is your greatest accomplishment so far? "Probably my record so far, going undefeated and breaking my school record in almost every meet."

How do you balance swimming and school? "It gets really stressful at times. School comes first. ... My coaches are really good with understanding that school comes first. I think I balance it well."

What is your favorite subject in school? "English, because I love to write. I'm thinking about doing something with writing when I get out of high school."

What is the toughest subject? "Math is tough. I just have a problem memorizing formulas and plugging in numbers."

Have you thought about colleges yet? "I've thought about college a lot, I really wanted to look at UMass and UNH, but I heard that UNH may not have a swim team anymore, and I really want to swim in college. UMass is my dream school, but any school that will take me would be great."

What are your hobbies besides swimming? "Besides swimming? There's not a lot of time to do other things but, I like to cook with my mom. And whatever time I have, I like to spend with my friends. I don't get a lot of time to see them."

Is it tough not seeing your friends a lot? "It is tough, but they're really supportive. They come to my meets."

What's your favorite food? "Do pickles count? Pickles are my favorite food then."

What's your favorite movie? "Grease. Ever since I was like 5-years-old, it's been my favorite movie."

What's your favorite TV show? "Curb Your Enthusiasm! Not a lot of people know about it. I love that show!"

What's your favorite song right now? "My favorite song right now is 'Roll to Me' by Del Amitri."

Do you have a prediction for the Super Bowl? "Oh, definitely the Pats all the way!"

If you could vote in the upcoming election, who do you think you'd vote for? "I'm leaning towards Barack Obama right now."

If you could meet someone famous, who would you want to meet? "If I could meet someone famous, I'd probably want to meet Drew Barrymore. I admire everything she's accomplished in her life, and I think she's a great actress."

Do people mispronounce or misspell your name a lot? "All the time. I always get 'lay-uh' or Princess Leia. It's never spelled right. I try to be patient with it."