UC Santa Barbara Opens Class of 2026 Recruiting With Verbals from Olivia Hovorka, Nina Statler

Olivia Hovorka, Nina Statler ucsb santa barbara

Photo Courtesy: Olivia Hovorka, Nina Statler

NEW COMMITS: The University of California, Santa Barbara has officially entered the Class of 2026 recruiting game after receiving two verbal commitments for the fall of 2022 from New Albany, Ohio native Olivia Hovorka and Nina Statler of Walnut Creek, Calif.

OLIVIA HOVORKA

Photo Courtesy: Olivia Hovorka

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so happy to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career as a second generation Gaucho at the University of California, Santa Barbara! I chose UCSB for the supportive team environment, fantastic coaches, and great academics. Big thank you to all of the amazing people who have helped and supported me. Go Gauchos!”

Hovorka trains year-round with New Albany Aquatic Club and picked up four new best times at the Oxford 18&U Winter Championships in December. In Summer 2019, she had a strong showing at Cleveland Sectionals where she finished 21st in the 100m fly.

Her best times include:

100 fly – 55.79
200 IM – 2:10.83
50 free – 24.31
100 free – 53.03

Currently a junior at New Albany High School, Hovorka flew to 13th place in the 100 fly as a sophomore at the Ohio State Championships. She also finished sixth in that event as well as 15th in the 50 free at the D1 District Championships in 2020.

NINA STATLER

Photo Courtesy: Nina Statler

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I chose UCSB for the great academics, amazing coaching staff, and beautiful location. So excited to be a gaucho ??”

Statler, who does her club swimming with the Walnut Creek Aquabears, last competed at the Washington Open in January 2020 where she earned 100% best times and posted a third-place showing in the 100 back. She also finaled in the 50m free at Santa Clarita Sectionals in July 2019.

Her best times include:

50 back – 26.08
100 back – 56.05
200 back – 2:11.57
50 free – 23.46
100 free – 51.97
200 free – 1:56.94
200 IM – 2:10.31

Also competing for Las Lomas High School, Statler raced the 100 back at the CIF State Championships during her rookie campaign. A week prior, she finished ninth in both the 50 free and 100 back at the CIF North Coast Section Championships.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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