Monday, July 2, 2012
Patch caught up with Olivia Sunday on her trip home from the Olympic trials in Omaha. The 17-year-old swim star talks about the competitive experience of a lifetime, what's in store next and why she adores Glenview.
Even though she didn’t make the U.S. Olympic swimming team in any her three events – the 100-meter backstroke, the 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter freestyle – Glenview’s Olivia Smoliga had a pleasant ride home Sunday from the Olympic Trials in Omaha. Stay tuned to the latest Glenview news: Like us on Facebook Only 17 and an incoming senior at Glenbrook South, the three-time state champion swimmer performed well against seasoned athletes, including Olympic gold medal winners. She’ll take those memories and the support of her community into her next tournament and a top college swimming program in 2013. While traveling back to Glenview through Iowa, Smoliga recounted her competitive experience of a lifetime for Patch. Patch: What did you …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Glenview's favorite swimmer finished in fourth, two places under qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team. Catch Olivia swim her next event on Friday when she hits the pool for the 100-meter freestyle preliminaries.
Olivia Smoliga swam well Wednesday night—but not as well or as fast as the favored Missy Franklin. Glenview’s Smoliga finished fourth in the finals of the women’s 100-meter backstroke at the Olympic Trials in Omaha. As impressive as was her performance, she just didn’t have the finishing kick of fellow 17-year-old Franklin. Want Glenview news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter. The victor picked up speed as if she had afterburners in the final lap to set an American women’s record of 58.85. Rachel Bootsma was runner-up and an Olympic qualifier at 59.49. Smoliga had a perfect lead-in to her event: water-borne Olympic idol Michael Phelps won the previous heat. The Glenview Titan, who finished third in the semis, …
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Glenview's favorite swimmer has outperformed Olympic medalists and is one step away from booking a trip to London. After a grueling day of competition, Patch talked with the 17-year-old athlete before she hit her pillow Tuesday night.
Coach Steve Iida doesn't know why, but says Olivia Smoliga is “kind of an evening swimmer." "She usually swims faster in the evening than in the morning," he shared with Patch Tuesday night. Whatever the reason, Iida has scouted his prize pupil, Glenview’s prospective Olympic swimmer, just right in the U.S Olympic swimming trials in Omaha. Want Glenview news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter. Smoliga came out at night on Tuesday to swim a second faster than in the prelims earlier in the day in the women’s 100-meter backstroke. She finished third, one slot better than in the morning heat. Ending up No. 3 has qualified her for a real shot at an Olympic berth in the finals at 7 p.m. Wednesday. "It's insane, it's …
Dan Barrett
10:04 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Way to go Olivia! This is a huge success for you and an inspiration for you and so many who look up to you. Keep going forward. We are behind you all the way!! more ›