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GBS swimmer sets sights on Olympic trials

February 7, 2012 By

(Glenview Lantern)  With a total of three state swimming records under her belt and a second place finish in the women’s 100 meter backstroke during Winter Nationals, Glenbrook South junior Olivia Smoliga has made quite the name for herself both in and out of the Titan swimming pool.

But if you ask her, she is just a normal teen.

“My life as a student is the same as everyone else,” she said on a recent afternoon shortly before an interview with a national news channel. “I have homework and have to go to class. And when I don’t go to class, I have to make-up the work.”

Smoliga was only 4 years old when she first learned to swim. Now 17, she has her sights set on the Olympics. In June she will compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, with a chance to represent the United States in London.

She will swim in four events: the 100 and 200-meter backstrokes and 50 and 100 freestyles. And her competition is clear. Smoliga will go against Missy Franklin. Franklin is the 16-year-old American record holder in the 200 backstroke. Smoliga finished second to her during nationals.

She also has a continued drive to upstage herself. Smoliga set state records in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyles during the preliminaries of the 2011 state swim meet. Then, she broke her own 50 record the next day in the finals.

“I like to set my goals pretty high,” she said. “I push myself to get faster times and I’m always going to want more. I have a serious drive to win.”

Smoliga also has a serious dedication to the sport, with her life often consumed with practices, competitions and never ending training sessions and work-outs. However, her parents always remind her to stay just as focused in the classroom.

“This is what I love to do. I want to be a swimmer. But my parents have put it into my head that school should remain my number one priority,” Smoliga said.

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GBS’ Smoliga measures up to superstar at nationals

December 8, 2011 By

(CSL Insider) Glenbrook South junior Olivia Smoliga has gotten used to winning every individual race that she’s in when competing with the Titans.

The Illinois Swimming organization’s Female Swimmer of the Year has won four state titles and holds three state records, but she found herself as the underdog on Saturday at the 2011 AT&T Winter National Championships at Georgia Tech’s Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

After placing first in the C finals of the 50-meter freestyle (25.67 seconds) and second in the C finals of the 100 free (56.57), Smoliga capped her successful meet with a silver medal in the A finals of the 100 backstroke (1:00.53).

Finishing first in the backstroke was 16-year old sensation Missy Franklin from Denver (1:00.10), who holds a World record in the short course 200-meter backstroke.

“I’ll keep replaying this in mind over and over again – when I threw my left hand back for the finish, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her hand finish,” Smoliga said. “Obviously I’m so happy with second in the nation, but it’s that split second where I saw that first is hopefully in reach for me.

“It was awesome though. I remember at the Short Course Nationals at Ohio State I got third, so the improvement of a place is nice. I was leading the first 25 meters until Missy and the rest of the pack caught up. I have a really good start, but I don’t have the strength I should have to keep up with everyone else, but the last 15 meters I was right up with Missy. It was a close race and a lot of people know Missy is going to win, so it’s nice for people to say, ‘Good job racing Missy,’ when you get out of the pool. She’s the top dog, so to have your name next to hers is really special.”

Smoliga will compete in a couple Grand Prix’s before in the 2012 Summer Olympics Trials next June in Omaha, Neb., where she hopes to join Franklin on the USA Swimming team in London. Smoliga’s experience in Atlanta was encouraging, but she knows that she’s going to have to continue to work hard.

“To see that I had such a solid improvement – my converted time is my fastest ever – was real nice,” Smoliga said. “It will be interesting at trials because at Nationals I was double tapered and Missy wasn’t. That kind of gets in my head because I know when she’s rested she gets world records, so I’m not sure what it will be like (at the trials).”

Juniors in high school have enough difficulty trying to balance their school work, college testing preparation and whatever else they have going on. Smoliga is no different other than the fact she’s an Olympic hopeful.

“I didn’t think it would be so difficult to balance everything,” Smoliga said. “During the high school season I had my girlfriends around me all the time and they’re the ones I’m closest with. So that kind of disciplined me to do my homework on time because right after school it was practice, then home to do my homework. I just took the ACT and I’m waiting for my score to come in, but it’s hard to juggle everything.

“I like to think of myself as a normal teenager who’s a student-athlete. But it’s hard because I know a lot of my friends will go out or on vacation, and I think the last time I went somewhere was spring break of last year. When I think about everything that I do for swimming and for school, and how much it means for my parents that I do my schoolwork more than swimming, I have to take a deep breath sometimes because it does get overwhelming.”

While she may feel overwhelmed at times, Smoliga made sure to point out that it’s all definitely been worth it.

“I can moan and groan all I want, but I’m doing what I love sincerely,” she said. “I see all the hard work I put into swimming and my schoolwork, and the best feeling I get is the results that come out of it. The fact that I can be with these Olympians walking on deck right next to me and knowing that hopefully I can get there someday is awesome. I remember when I first started swimming on my club, I told my coach that I wanted to be in the Olympics, and I was like 10 years old. He smiled and nodded, and I’ve been training ever since. Everything that I’ve been doing has been falling into place, but I know it’s just the beginning.”

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Glenbrook South star swimmer Smoliga competing on national stage

November 29, 2011 By

(Glenview Announcements) An argument can be made that Olivia Smoliga is the best swimmer in the state.

Now the Glenbrook South junior will get an opportunity to show she’s one of the tops in the country, when she swims at the Winter National Championships, at Georgia Tech today through Saturday.

“All the big dogs will be there,” said Glenbrook South coach Kelly Timson. “Because next year is an Olympic year, this could be a preview for the Olympic Trials.”

Next summer, Smoliga will compete in the Trials, in Omaha, Neb., for a berth in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

“I think she will amp it up to another level,” Timson said about this weekend’s races. “She’s someone who swims up to the competition.”

Smoliga is coming off another standout prep season with the Titans. She now owns four state championships and three state records. Timson believes her star could end up one of the best-ever in Illinois.

“I would argue that,” Timson said. “I can see her going back next year and winning two more titles.”

As a result, Smoliga is drawing interest from many major colleges. She won’t be able to receive official offers until July 1, 2012, but Timson said several Big Ten schools are among those in the chase.

“She’s gotten a lot of letters so far,” said Timson, who cited Northwestern and Michigan as two of the prominent programs showing interest.

For all Smoliga’s talent and success in the pool, she remains as approachable as ever. An individual star, Smoliga still puts her team first.

“She really is a leader,” Timson said. “Before each of the relays at State, she was the one getting all the girls in a huddle and giving the speech. I don’t know what she said, but it worked.”

Smoliga took time during the State Meet to help out freshman teammate Katie Wells, who experienced some anxiety during her first trip to the championships.

“It’s a rough meet, but Olivia was a big mentor to Katie,” Timson said. “She talked to her throughout the meet and tried to help her stay positive.”

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Glenbrook South’s Olivia Smoliga shatters state records

November 18, 2011 By

(Chicago Tribune)  Olivia Smoliga added to her growing resume in dramatic fashion Friday during the preliminary round of the girls swimming state meet in Winnetka.

The Glenbrook South junior shattered the state records in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 freestyle. Smoliga also set the state record in the 100 backstroke last year.

“I’m really happy with how I did,” Smoliga said. “I don’t know what I expected. I knew I was close to the 50 record, but I was just going out there and trying to race and swim as fast as I could.”

Smoliga is no stranger to that. She won state titles in the 50 and the backstroke last year and is poised to win both her races Saturday. Her 50 time of 22.66 broke the 15-year-old mark of 22.78 and her 100 mark of 48.88 lowered the previous record, held by Loyola’s Betsy Webb since 2007, by 1.04 seconds.

The decision not to defend her crown in the backstroke, where she is within striking distance of the national record, was not hard for Smoliga.

“My parents always have been and always will be a big influence on me and they wanted to see what I could do in the freestyle,” Smoliga said. “I did backstroke last year and I wanted to try something new.”

The switch to the 100 sets up an interesting battle between Smoliga and New Trier senior Samantha James, the defending champ. James, a Virginia recruit, had the second-fastest time, a personal-best 49.95.

“I’m excited to race her,” James said. “It will be a good opportunity and we’ll just see.”

Smoliga received a standing ovation after the 100 and even James said holding three state records is “really cool.”

“I try to soak it in as much as I can,” Smoliga said. “It means a lot because I know that Illinois is one of the fastest swimming states in the country and to have my name up there representing Illinois is really cool. It’s an honor.”

Smoliga would have been part of another record as she and Hallie Hengels, Kimmy Durkin and Katie Wells eclipsed the mark in the 200 medley relay with a 1:43.40, but Fenwick’s quartet of Maggie Sheean, Haley Wickham, Mimi Schneider and Maureen Barron set the new record in 1:42.50.

Host New Trier is poised to defend its team title. The Trevians qualified 11 individuals, including two divers, to the finals and have all three relays in the championship heats. Their 400 free relay anchored by James timed 3:26.67, just .66 off the state record.

“I think we are [in good shape] but we definitely have a lot of work to do tomorrow so we’re excited,” James said. “I think we did what we needed to do.”

Lake Forest senior Rachel Stoehr has the top time in the 200 free 1:49.15) and 500 free (4.49.99). Other top seeds are Schneider in the 100 butterfly, Rosary’s Sarah Sykstus in the 200 individual medley (2:03.64), Loyola’s Michelle Garland in the 100 breaststroke (104.76) and Downers Grove North’s Gabby Sims in the backstroke. Deerfield’s Erin Purdy leads the diving with 282.05 points.

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State prelims: Glenbrook South’s Smoliga smashes more records

November 18, 2011 By

(Chicago Tribune) State records are becoming routine for Olivia Smoliga.

A year after setting the state record on her way to claiming the 100-yard backstroke title, the Glenbrook South junior set new marks in the 50 freestyle (22.66 seconds) and 100 freestyle (48.88) Friday during girls swimming state qualifying at New Trier.

“It’s amazing every time,” she said. “I love to finish the race, look up at the scoreboard and then look for my parents. My dad was freaking out.”

She was rewarded with standing ovations after both races.

“I’m speechless,” Titans coach Kelly Timson said. “She’s the kind of kid when she wants something, you better not stand in her way.”

Smoliga did not attempt to defend her backstroke crown this year so that she could focus on the freestyle.

“The spacing works better for me,” she said. “I compete with better swimmers, and I can also be better prepared for my relays.”

The scary part for the rest of the field is that Smoliga expects to swim even faster in Saturday’s finals.

“I have to be better tomorrow,” she said. “That’s the big day. Today was just a warm-up.”

Fenwick’s 200 medley relay also set a state record, finishing in a time of 1 minute, 42.5 seconds. The Friars entered the race with the fifth-best sectional time, but shaved off more than four seconds.

The improvement came as no shock to Mimi Schneider, who in addition to contributing to the state record notched the top qualifying time in the 100 butterfly (53.63).

“We were so fired up to swim, and we knew we’d be ready,” Schneider said. “We had some special legs today.”

Lake Forest’s Rachel Stoehr was the only other swimmer to qualify first in two events. Stoehr led the way in the 200 free (1:49.15) and 500 free (4:49.99). Last year, she finished third and second in those events, respectively.

TOP QUALIFIERS

400 freestyle relay — New Trier, 3:26.67; 100 breaststroke — Michelle Garland, Loyola, Sr., 1:04.76; 100 backstroke — Gabby Sims, Downers Grove North, So., 55.21; 200 free relay — Fenwick, 1:34.16; 500 free — Rachel Stoehr, Lake Forest, Sr., 4:49.99; 100 free — Olivia Smoliga, Glenbrook South, Jr., 48.88; 100 butterfly — Mimi Schneider, Fenwick, So., 53.63; Diving — Erin Purdy, Deerfield, Sr., 282.05; 50 free — Olivia Smoliga, 22.66; 200 IM — Sarah Sykstus, Rosary, Sr., 2:03.64; 200 freestyle — Rachel Stoehr, 1:49.15; 200 medley relay — Fenwick, 1:42.5.

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Smoliga, multiple Glenbrook South swimmers earn State berths

November 17, 2011 By

(Glenview Announcements)  Olivia Smoliga is all about accepting a challenge.

Already owner of the IHSA record in the 100-yard backstroke, the Glenbrook South junior decided to skip that event at State this season in favor of the 100 freestyle.

Part of the reason is, the spacing of the events is farther apart, allowing Smoliga more rest. The other part, of course, is that Smoliga wants to test herself.

Smoliga passed the first exam Saturday at the Glenbrook South Sectional, where she won the 100 free (50.22) over defending state champion Samantha James of New Trier (51.03). Smoliga is the top seed at New Trier.

“It’s going to be a great race,” predicted Smoliga, who won two state championships last season as a sophomore. “There’s so much competition in that race, and I like to entertain the crowd. If I was swimming the 100 backstroke, the people would be like, ‘Oh, she’s swimming the backstroke again.’ Like my dad said, it’s no-guts. no-glory. That’s the way I see it, too.”

Smoliga also won the 50 free (23.03) at the sectional, and is the top seed in that event, too. She also will swim on the 200 free relay (1:36.67) with Anna Veselovsky, Katie Wells and Niki Wells, and on the 200 medley relay with Kimmy Durkin, Hallie Hengels and Katie Wells that set a pool record Saturday of 1:46.06.

In all, the Titans qualified nine individuals and three relays, while finishing third at the sectional with 213 points.

Durkin also qualified for two individual events and on two relays, including the 400 free relay (3:34.03). The junior will swim the 200 free (1:54.59) and the 500 free (5:07.79) at State.

“All the girls are swimming so fast,” Smoliga said. “Right now, we are still tired. When we are rested, shaved and put on our suits, we will see how fast we can go.”

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Smoliga Smokes ‘Em At Sectional

November 16, 2011 By

(Journal Online) Swimming to qualify for the state finals is certainly no easy task unless your name is Olivia Smoliga. The junior from Glenbrook South was on fire in her home pool during Saturday’s sectional meet in Glenview.

Earlier in the week, Smoliga decided she would swim the 100-yard freestyle instead of the 100-yard backstroke. The decision worked in her favor as she won the freestyle in a time of 50.22 seconds. Smoliga also set a pool record in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.03 edging out Loyola’s Evan Swenson (23.79).

Glenbrook South’s 200-yard medley relay kicked things off Saturday afternoon beating out New Trier and Loyola in a thriller. The Titans took the title in 1:46.06 ahead of the Trevians (1:46.38) and Ramblers (1:46.51) by fractions of a second.

South’s 200-yard freestyle relay was flanked in second place by New Trier (1st) and Loyola (3d).

In the 200-yard individual medley, a combo of Loyola girls finished in first and second place. Mallory Remick swam a time of 2:08.45, and close behind was Michelle Garland finishing with a time of 2:08.89.

“We definitely hoped to finish first and second, but we didn’t expect it. It was nice doing it, but it was grueling,” said Garland. “I was happy with our swim, I thought we both had really good times,” Remick added.

“Compared to our times this season it was a marked improvement. Saving the best for last is my plan. I am more nervous than excited to swim at state. Finishing in the top six is definitely a goal at state,” Remick concluded.

In addition to qualifying in the aforementioned race, Garland took first place in the 100-yard breaststroke.

A bright spot for Maine South was Jenna Zitkus. She qualified for state in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.58 and in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 59.10.

“It felt good to drop time and do better at sectionals. I hope to do way better at the state meet than last year because I know what I am preparing for. Now I am ready to go and have the experience of last time under my belt,” Zitkus said.

Zitkus qualified in the butterfly on a very narrow margin. “I really wasn’t paying attention because I was in the end lane. I knew I had girls ahead of me, but my teammates were cheering me on. I didn’t know how I was doing during the race, but in the end it turns out I did enough.”

Without the same notoriety of her Glenbrook South teammate, Katie Wells, a freshman with a wealth of talent qualified for state in the 100-yard freestyle. “I didn’t swim my best race today, I was a little tired. I have better performances ahead of me. I am excited for state,” said Wells.

The top three teams overall were New Trier with 302 points, Loyola with 256 points, and Glenbrook South with 213 points. Deerfield, Glenbrook North and Evanston rounded out the top 6.

The state meet will be held Friday and Saturday at New Trier.

Journal-Area State Swim Qualifiers

The following swimmers from the Journal’s coverage area qualified at Saturday’s Glenbrook South swim sectional for this weekend’s state finals at New Trier.

200-Yard Medley Relay

Glenbrook South (1:46.06)

Loyola (1:46.51)

200-Yard Freestyle

Claire Rushin (Loyola)

Kimmy Durkin (Glenbrook South)

Kelly Cordes (Glenbrook South)

200-Yard IM

Mallory Remick (Loyola)

Michelle Garland (Loyola)

Katie Iida (Glenbrook South)

50-Yard Freestyle

Olivia Smoliga (Glenbrook South)

Evan Swenson (Loyola)

Edan Scott (Niles West)

Grace Tierney (Loyola)

Niki Wells (Glenbrook South)

Diving

Katie Rourke (Loyola)

Courtney Jacobs (Loyola)

Kelly Sanks (Niles West)

Amanda Browder (Glenbrook South)

100-Yard Butterfly

Maria Jardeleza (Loyola)

Jenna Zitkus (Maine South)

100-Yard Freestyle

Olivia Smoliga (Glenbrook South)

Grace Tierney (Loyola)

Edan Scott (Niles West)

Mallory Remick (Loyola)

Katie Wells (Glenbrook South)

500-Yard Freestyle

Claire Rushin (Loyola)

Kimmy Durkin (Glenbrook South)

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

Glenbrook South (1:36.67)

Loyola (1:37.51)

Maine South (1:39.71)

100-Yard Backstroke

Madeleine Jardeleza (Loyola)

Jenna Zitkus (Maine South)

Maria Jardeleza (Loyola)

100-Yard Breaststroke

Michelle Garland (Loyola)

Hallie Hengels (Glenbrook South)

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

Loyola (3:32.28)

Glenbrook South (3:34.03)

Maine South (3:37.23)

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Smoliga leads relay to sectional championship

November 16, 2011 By

(Glenview Lantern) There will be much bigger, more important meets for Glenbrook South junior swimmer Olivia Smoliga than Saturday’s sectional meet at Glenbrook South.

She will be swimming nationals in Georgia, as part of the U.S. Junior National team and has already qualified for the trials for the 2012 Olympic games in London.

But that doesn’t mean she didn’t take Saturday’s sectional meet with the utmost seriousness and it paid off.

Smoliga won the sectional championship in the 50-yard freestyle (23.03 seconds) and 100 freestyle (50.22 seconds), setting Glenbrook South pool records in both events. Smoliga also swam the backstroke leg of the medley relay, which was won by the Titans.

“We won against a lot of [meet winner and perennial powerhouse] New Trier girls,” Smoliga said. “It feels awesome. They’re so strong, there are so many of them, they’re so good. Usually you go in saying New Trier is going to get the trophy and you go win here in a relay or a couple of individual events and it’s exciting because you can say you can race with the best team.”

While the Trevians won the meet, Smoliga was the meet’s star.

The extremely humble Smoliga deferred to other swimmers at the meet. That wasn’t difficult, though.

The Glenbrook South Sectional not only boasted the best swimmers of any sectional in the state, but the North Shore arguably has the best high school swimming in the country.

“There have been such good races,” Smoliga said. “I’m just looking at the girls who have just qualified for state. It was such a big deal for them and I was jumping up and down. It’s really exciting to see those races where they’re tapered. They’re shaved and they were swimming great times. They’re the stars.”

Glenbrook South junior Katie Iida qualified for the state meet by taking fourth in the 200 individual medley, swimming it in 2 minutes 10.84 seconds The winner of each race automatically advances but any swimmer who breaks the state standard also qualifies for the state meet.

Better times should come for Smoliga. She wasn’t even fully into her taper on Saturday but will be for the state meet.

Other Titan swimmers who qualified for state include: Kimmy Durkin and Kelly Cordes (200 freestyle), Katie Iida (200 individual medley), Katie Wells (100 freestyle, Niki Wells (50 freestyle), Kimmy Durkin (500 freestyle) and Hallie Hengels (100 breaststroke).

Titan diver Amanda Browder also qualified.

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Glenbrook South Sectional: New Trier, Glenbrook South’s Smoliga have record day

November 12, 2011 By

(Chicago Tribune) Olivia Smoliga knew New Trier was the team to beat Saturday going into the Glenbrook South Sectional.

The Glenbrook South junior was right. The Trevians racked up 302 points to secure the team title ahead of Loyola (256) and the Titans (213).

“They’re such a powerhouse,” Smoliga said. “When they walk into a pool house everybody knows how fast and strong they are.”

That didn’t stop Smoliga from sharing the spotlight. She set pool records in the 50-yard free (23.03) and 100-yard free(50.22), and led Glenbrook South to a pool record in the 200-yard IM (1:46.06).

“The medley was awesome,” said Smoliga, the defending state champion in the 50 free. “It gives you the confidence to compete against the best in the state.”

As for the pool records, which included breaking her own mark in the 50-yard freestyle?

“It’s something to be proud of,” she said. “But the big picture is the state meet next week.”

New Trier set pool records in the 200-yard free relay (1:36.53) and the 400-yard free relay (3:29.42), and had 13 top-five finishes in the eight individual races. Caroline Grant added a win in the diving competition.

“Between our relays, divers and individual swimmers it was a really solid swimming job,” New Trier coach Bruce Woodbury said. “We’re going to swim faster next week.”

The Trevians won the state meet a year ago and will have the chance to defend the title at their home pool next weekend.

“We haven’t talked about it as a team,” said junior Stephanie Marchuk, who swam on both winning relays. “But that’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.”

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GBS races to second in CSL meet

November 9, 2011 By

(Glenview Lantern) Conference championships often bring out the best in its competitors.

So when the Glenbrook South girls swimming team had another shot at New Trier as hosts of the Central Suburban League conference meet on Saturday, the Titans were on top of their game.

After being defeated by the Trevians in a dual meet earlier in the season, Glenbrook South 200-yard medley relay of senior Hallie Hengels, juniors Olivia Smoliga and Kimmy Durkin, and freshman Katie Wells shaved nearly two seconds from their seeded time, finishing in 1 minute 46.37 seconds to take home the conference championship.

“New Trier gives us an opportunity to swim faster,” Glenbrook South coach Kelly Timson said. “All four [competitors in the 200 medley relay] put up their best splits of the year. It’s definitely encouraging to see that in conference.”

The Titans recorded a second-place team finish with a score of 291, but were far behind the CSL champion Trevs, who finished with 501 points. GBS had 14 total medalists at the meet.

Smoliga registered conference championships in two individual events: the 100 backstroke (55.76 seconds) and 50 free (23.24).

Smoliga, who is the defending state champion in the 100 back, doesn’t yet know what events she will be competing in at this year’s state meet. But she’s willing to fill any role the Titans need.

“We’ve been dropping times as a team consistently.” Smoliga said. “It’s nice to swim in our home because it’s a lot more comfortable. I can’t think of last year’s success because I go in with a clean slate. I will have a lot of excitement and butterflies. I’m hoping to do my best.

“It’s possible to drop more time [in the 200-medley relay]. Kimmy and I went faster, Hallie tapers well and Katie was a beast.”

Titans’ freshman Katie Wells added a second piece of hardware to her collection as she out-touched competition with a 52.81 in the 100 free.

New Trier, the defending state champion, took care of business as usual on Saturday, notching their sixth-consecutive Central Suburban League Title since coach Bruce Woodbury regained his coaching duties.

“We did very fine,” Woodbury said. “A lot of best times were put up today. We were solid as a team and I’m looking forward to the state series starting.”

The Titans will return to the pool on Saturday, Nov. 12, when they host the Trevs once again as part of the Glenbrook South Sectional.

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