{"id":480864,"date":"2021-07-06T20:02:35","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T03:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=480864"},"modified":"2021-07-06T20:02:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T03:02:35","slug":"olivia-mendenhall-de-commits-from-arkansas-will-join-defending-sec-champions-kentucky-this-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/olivia-mendenhall-de-commits-from-arkansas-will-join-defending-sec-champions-kentucky-this-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"Olivia Mendenhall De-Commits From Arkansas, Will Join Defending SEC Champions Kentucky This Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>After originally<\/a> committing to the University of Arkansas, Olympic Trials qualifier Olivia Mendenhall<\/strong> of Springfield, Mo. has changed her decision to another SEC school: The University of Kentucky.<\/p>\n

She will join\u00a0Caroline Benda<\/strong><\/a>, Kaelan Daly<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Maddie Welborn<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Megan Ciezczak<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Annie Galvin<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Emma Hermeston<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Sydney Stricklin<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Madeline Wenig<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>as a member of the Wildcats\u2019 class of 2025.<\/p>\n

Regarding her commitment, she said:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am beyond excited and grateful to announce my commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of\u00a0 Kentucky! The moment I stepped on campus I knew that Kentucky would be somewhere where I could thrive in both academics and swimming! I want to thank my family, coaches, and friends for the support throughout this journey! I can\u2019t wait to join such an amazing group in Lexington! GO CATS!??\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mendenhall, who trains year-round with Springfield Aquatics, most recently raced the 100m breast in Wave I of the U.S. Olympic Trials. She finished third in that event, as well as second in the 200m breast, at Jenks Sectionals back in March and raced both breaststroke events at the Toyota U.S. Open last fall.<\/p>\n

At the 18&U Winter Championships in Lees Summit, Mendenhall was the runner-up in both the 100 breast and 200 breast, notching a best time in the latter.<\/p>\n

A recent high school graduate, Mendenhall is a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.<\/p>\n

Her best times include:<\/p>\n