Oakland Catholic grad Leah Smith competing at Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Tokyo

Gearing up for another Olympic run, Oakland Catholic graduate Leah Smith will lead the U.S. women’s team at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships this week, in Tokyo.

Smith, 23, who is from Mt. Lebanon, was voted co-captain.

Held every four years, the meet consists of 18 countries.

Smith was one of 28 people named to the team.

She placed second to Olympic star Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle (4 minutes, 2.21 seconds) and 800 freestyle (8:22.79) at the U.S. National Championships in July, in Irvine, Calif.

“My goals are to help Team USA win as many medals as possible,” Smith said. “I will hopefully be able to help us win another medal on the (800) freestyle relay, as well as in my individual events.”

Smith, who is 5-foot-9, was on the 800 freestyle relay team that set a meet record (7:46.40) in 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Smith, a bronze medalist in the 400 freestyle and a gold medalist in the 800 freestyle relay at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, said the meet will be a great way to prepare for Tokyo in 2020.

“I am so excited,” she said. “I can’t believe it’s already been two years since Rio.”

Smith is incredibly honored to have been named captain.

“This team is very special to me, and it means the world to me that I can help lead it,” she said.

Albert Albiero, the U.S. women’s coach, said it speaks volumes team members selected her.

“She certainly has great experience competing and achieving at the highest level of international competition,” he said. “Her personality and ability to relate to staff and teammates make her a great leader.”

Smith swam for Virginia and trains at Arizona, where former Cavalier coach Augie Busch heads the program.

Busch said Smith is a leader by nature.

“(She is) a unifying force,” Busch said. “People her age gravitate to her.”

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.