Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
By Kate Smarjesse, Swimming World College Intern
Not only will Olympian Olivia Smoliga be visiting Rio for the first time, she will also be competing in her first Olympic Games. Smoliga’s winning time from the US Olympic Trials is the fourth fastest 100 back in the world this year.
Here are a few things every swim fan should know about Smoliga, the future of American backstroke:
1. She was named the 2013 Swimming World Magazine Female High School Swimmer of the Year.
Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Magazine
Just after finishing her final high school swim season at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois, Olivia was named Swimming World Magazine’s 2013 Female High School Swimmer of the Year. In November 2012, at the Illinois State High School Championships, Smoliga broke the national high school records in both the 100 yard backstroke (51.43) and 50 yard freestyle (21.99).
2. She is an 8-time Illinois High School State Champion.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
As a freshman in high school Smoliga won both the 50 free and 100 back at the Illinois Girls State Swim Meet, and she did not stop there. Olivia went on to win six more state titles and finished her senior year by breaking two national records (see above).
3. She was an individual NCAA champion as a rookie.
Photo Courtesy: Reagan Lunn/Georgia Tech Athletics
Olivia is a rising senior at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Her first season as a Bulldog was nothing short of amazing. At the age of 19, Smoliga swam in her first NCAA swim meet, at which she won the 50 freestyle with a sizzling time of 21.59. Smoliga has experience swimming fast as a rookie, which bodes well for her Olympic debut.
4. She currently holds three individual school records.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Smoliga holds three individual school records, all of which she set in the 2015-2016 season. Her Georgia records stand in the 50 freestyle (21.21), 100 freestyle (46.70), and 100 backstroke (50.58). Her 50 free time from 2016 NCAAs also broke Lara Jackson‘s 7-year-old NCAA record in the event (21.27).
5. She came oh so close to qualifying for the Olympics in 2012.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
At the 2012 Olympic Trials, Smoliga was one of three women to break the 1:00 barrier in the 100 back at the meet. Unfortunately, she did so in the semifinal (59.82). Fellow young guns, Missy Franklin and Rachel Bootsma, went on to make the 2012 Olympic Team in the event. Smoliga touched fourth (1:00.46). The then 17-year-old was devastated, but came back in 2016 knowing precisely what she needed to do to get her hand on the wall first.
Good Luck in Rio, Olivia!
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Olivia’s got so much going for her: athletic talent, competitive fire, enthusiasm.
Look for her on the podium at the Rio Olympics.
Reason #6: She threw her swim cap to my daughter Grace following her 100m BK victory in Omaha!
GO OLIVIA, GO DAWGS…
Go Dawgs!
After she got 4th in the 2012 trials, she was kind enough to sign a program and take a pic with my daughter and her friend who were there cheering her on and who thought the world of her as younger Illinois swimmers