Olivia Smoliga Hits 55.0 to set American Record in 100 Backstroke

Olivia Smoliga; Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu/ISL

Olivia Smoliga set an American record in the 100 backstroke in Day 2 of Sunday’s ISL Grand Final, winning the event in 55.04.

Swimming for the Cali Condors, Smoliga went 55.04. It undercut her American record of 55.47 set at the 2018 Short-Course World Championships. Smoliga was 55.60 leading off the Condors’ winning 400 medley relay Saturday.

Smoliga splits: 26.50, 28.54

Smoliga’s time is the third-fastest all-time. It buzzes close to Minna Atherton’s world record of 54.89, set in the same pool last October. That time is also the International Swimming League record. Katinka Hosszu has a time of 55.03 that is second-fastest all time.

“I’m so fired up, let’s go,” Smoliga said on the broadcast. “That was great. So happy to do it for the Cali Condors. You hear the team, we’re the loudest team here. That’s what it’s all about. … I just wanted to go after it today.”

Olivia Smoliga scored 15 points in the race, jackpotting the bottom three finishers. She entered Day 2 of the Grand final third in the MVP standings with 35 points from Day 1. With Sherridon Dressel taking fifth, the Condors ended up with 19 big points.

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