LumaLanes Performance of the Week: Smoliga Sets New American Record In 50 Back

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Photo Courtesy: Georgia Athletics

This week’s Performance Of The Week, sponsored by LumaLanes, goes to Olivia Smoliga for her American record performance in the 50 backstroke this week at the 2018 TYR Pro Swim Series at Mesa.

While a record of any sort is impressive in April, Smoliga’s was particularly impressive since it came in the final round of the 50 shootouts on the third day of the meet. A new addition to the TYR Pro Swim Series, you need to advance through quarterfinals and semifinals in quick succession before the start of the one-on-one finals, with only minutes of rest in between races.

Smoliga finished first through all three rounds of the shootout, getting faster with each successive swim. Starting at 28.08, she improved to 27.89 through the semifinals before winning the event in 27.43 in finals, a new American record that makes her the 11th fastest performer of all time.

In a post-race interview, Smoliga said she had tried to “gauge” the field with each round to make sure she was able to qualify for each successive round while conserving enough energy to get faster in each round. Calling the format a way to “test your gut,” she said her fast 50 shows she has more to give in the 100 (which she won earlier in the meet in 1:00.08) and that she knew she had more in the tank for the shorter distance after a slip on the start at Nationals last summer.

Congratulations Olivia Smoliga on earning Swimming World’s Performance of the Week!

Special Thanks to LumaLanes for sponsoring Swimming World’s Performance of the Week.

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