Smoliga Competes in Peru, Qualifies for Olympic Trials

There's something about swimming the backstroke that brings out the best in Glenbrook South junior

You'd have to literally search the world for someone who can beat her in the back. Smoliga is the and was one of 19 girls – and the only one from Illinois - to compete for the United States at the FINA Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, in August.

Smoliga finished seventh in the 100 back and fifth in the 50 back and was slated to swim on the 400 free relay before being sidelined by illness.

“Definitely it boosted my confidence when I did that well [at worlds],” said Smoliga, who has qualified for the 2012 Olympic trials in four events. “Representing the country was the top thing that I took in when I was down in Lima. It’s a big deal and it’s such an honor to be representing the red, white and blue.”

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Smoliga goes fast, amazingly fast for someone who could not break 1:00 in the backstroke when she entered high school just two years ago. and finished second at the state meet her freshman year in 55.57.

As a sophomore, Smoliga became the first double state champion in Glenbrook South history, shattering the state record in the backstroke by over a second (she timed 53.9) in the prelims before winning that event at the 50-yard freestyle the following day.

“I love swimming it,” Smoliga said of the backstroke. “There’s something about being able to streamline so far underwater and then to surface and see part of the crowd is a great feeling. You’re not supposed to look at the crowd – you’re supposed to keep looking back – but I remember after I did my last flip turn at state [last fall] I heard the girls shouting, ‘Go, Olivia.’”

Smoliga’s 50 time of 23.12 was the sixth-fastest in Illinois history and just .34 off the state record. She is aiming to break that mark as well as make a run at the national backstroke record of 51.7, set earlier this year by Rachel Bootsma of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Smoliga’s personal-best in the back is 52.44 during a club meet.

“I just think of how far she’s come in two years,” Glenbrook South coach Kelly Timson said. “If she continues to work hard, I think the sky is the limit for her.”

“I feel I’m going to be faster,” Smoliga said. “Going into high school [season] I feel kind of invincible. I feel unstoppable, so I don’t want to lose a race.”

The 6-1 Smoliga is still working on improving her core strength, but is already so good in the backstroke because she is able to power through her underwater streamlining better than anyone else and is proficient on her flip turns. She is always striving to improve, inspired by something that happened at the sectional meet her freshman year.

Former Titans star a three-time state runner-up and current Iowa standout who was on the first Glenbrook South relay team to win a state title, was in the stands that day.

“Before the 100 backstroke she came down to the railing and said, ‘Good luck, Olivia,’” Smoliga recalled. “I had seen all of her [school] records up on the wall and I wanted to break them, so for her to say that really lifted my spirits. Daniela Cubelic is such an amazing person.”

People say the same thing about Smoliga, because just as Smoliga looked up to Cubelic and 2008 50 free state champion Kelly Hagerty, other girls now idolize Smoliga, who has a 3.5 GPA and a personable nature.

“Olivia is one-of-a-kind in terms of her ability, but she’s so humble and genuinely nice,” Timson said. “You hear that from a lot of girls who look up to her as a role model. If there was a swimmer in position to beat Olivia’s record she would be just as encouraging as Daniela. That’s the type of kid she is.”

That’s evident by her team-first focus. Smoliga wants and will probably get the chance to defend both of her individual titles, but Timson could opt to pull Smoliga out of the 50 free and put her on all three relays in an effort to maximize team points.

who have finished as high as fourth and no lower than eighth in the past five years, are loaded with talented swimmers like seniors Hallie Hengels and Anna Veselovsky and juniors Kimmy Durkin, Niki Wells, Kendall Cordes and Katie Iida. A top five finished – and perhaps the first state trophy in school history – is within reach.

“That’s definitely the goal,” Smoliga said. “If I can be put on all three relays, I will help my team any way I can.”

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