Lia Neal and AGUA Swim Team teammate Annie Zhu had an outstanding and impressive run at the CeraVe Invitational, a three-day meet at Rutgers University’s Sonny Werblin Recreation Center.
The late Werblin, who shared ownership of the New York Jets, is remembered as the man who signed Joe Namath.
Neal and Zhu are dead set on making the USA Swim Team that will compete in the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Neal set a meet record (55.88) in the 100-meter prelims, then returned to win the event in 56.91. We first caught up with Neal when she was 8 years of age and beginning to set and break age group records, as did Zhu at AGUA Asphalter, where they both train under coach Brian Brown. Neal finished second in the a final 400-meter freestyle.
“Although it was not my best time, I’m really happy with how I raced,” said Neal, 16. Regardless, Neal’s parents, her mom, Siu, and dad, Rome, the legendary jazz man, singer, author and promoter, are more than proud of their daughter.
Zhu won the 400-meter breast stroke final (4:50.18) and finished second in the 200-meter (2:17.58).
