Five-Star Recruit Olivia Smoliga Heading to SEC

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 6. FIVE-star backstroke star Olivia Smoliga of Glenbrook South High and the Glenview Titan Aquatic Club is headed to the Southeastern Conference after making her collegiate decision today.

Smoliga has given Jack Bauerle her pledge as the Bulldogs now have two of the top 10 recruits in the Class of 2013 under wraps heading into next year. Smoliga, a five-star prospect in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings system, is the top recruit in Illinois according to CollegeSwimming.com. She joins Emily Cameron, another five-star prospect and the second-ranked swimmer coming out of Pennsylvania, as future Bulldogs.

Smoliga is an immediate threat to score at the NCAA Division I Championship level with a lifetime best 52.44 in the 100-yard backstroke. That would have put her in the B final at the 2012 edition of the pinnacle meet. Meanwhile, she's a long course stalwart with top times in the 50 free (25.39), 100 free (56.56), 100 back (59.82) and 200 back (2:16.39).

Smoliga finished fourth in the women's 100-meter backstroke at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, and is one of a core group of young female backstrokers taking over from the likes of veteran Natalie Coughlin.

“I'm so happy with the decision, and I'm so excited to spend these next four years at Georgia with amazing coaches and teammates,” Smoliga told Swimming World.

Recruits: To make sure we have the most updated information on your recruiting, and to earn the highest star ranking you deserve, please either create a new profile, or request to take over your admin-created account in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings. Then make sure to update your profile with your top times. Click here for information on how to do so.

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