{"id":209862,"date":"2016-06-28T17:25:59","date_gmt":"2016-06-29T00:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=209862"},"modified":"2016-06-29T12:45:59","modified_gmt":"2016-06-29T19:45:59","slug":"olivia-smoliga-smokes-100-back-final-moves-to-fourth-in-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/olivia-smoliga-smokes-100-back-final-moves-to-fourth-in-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Olivia Smoliga Smokes 100 Back Final; Moves To Fourth In World"},"content":{"rendered":"

Women’s 100 Back FINAL:<\/h2>\n

The women\u2019s 100 back was a star-studded event with\u00a0Natalie<\/strong>\u00a0Coughlin<\/strong>, the most decorate female Olympic swimmer of all time, and\u00a0Missy<\/strong>\u00a0Franklin<\/strong>, the defending Olympic gold medalist, dueling for a spot on the Rio Olympic team among collegiate stars\u00a0Olivia<\/strong>\u00a0Smoliga<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Kathleen<\/strong>\u00a0Baker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After a quick disqualification scare following her prelims swim Smoliga has recovered, rebounded, and blown the competition away. The Georgia Bulldawg cranked out a 59.02 to earn her first Olympic berth and move to fourth in the world rankings for 2016.<\/p>\n

Baker, who led at the 50, battled Smoliga until the very finish before stopping the clock at a 59.29 to join Smoliga on the Olympic team.<\/p>\n

Amy<\/strong>\u00a0Bilquist<\/strong>\u00a0tried to get into the mix, finishing a close 59.37 for third.<\/p>\n

Ali<\/strong>\u00a0Deloof<\/strong>\u00a0improved upon her semi-finals time of 59.85 to finish fourth with a 59.69.<\/p>\n

Hannah<\/strong>\u00a0Stevens<\/strong>\u00a0squeezed under the one-minute mark with a final 59.97, good for fifth overall.<\/p>\n

Clara\u00a0Smiddy<\/strong>\u00a0(1:00.12),\u00a0Missy\u00a0Franklin<\/strong>\u00a0(1:00.24), and\u00a0Natalie\u00a0Coughlin<\/strong>\u00a0(1:00.48) were sixth through eighth.<\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Omega Timing<\/p><\/div>\n