NEW COMMIT: The University of Alabama has earned a new commitment for the fall of 2019 from Laurel, Mississippi native Marina Olmstead.
Olmstead spends the majority of her training in a 10-foot-wide, 75-foot-long pool that her father and coach, Bryan Olmstead, built. She most recently competed at the Florida International Championships for last summer where she recorded six top-8 finishes, including a bronze-medal showing in the 50m back. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American was also an eight-time finalist at the CAT American Junior meet last March.
She told Swimming World:
“It’s been my dream to swim at the University of Alabama. Because I do 98% if my training in my backyard, it seemed impossible to get there. Always coaching and supporting me, my Dad would say, ‘All you need to do is swim with all your might and let God show up.’ I am swimming with all my might, and signing with Alabama is God showing up. Roll Tide!”
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.84
- 100 free – 52.39
- 100 back – 56.11
- 100 fly – 58.21
Olmstead could find herself in a number of different events when she arrives in Tuscaloosa as a member of the class of 2023 and will join training groups that include Rhyan White, Flora Molnar and Kalia Antoniou. Although she’s currently outside of scoring range at the SEC Championships, Olmstead has made steady improvements each season.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Welcome home! Roll Tide!