Olivia Smoliga: Jay Litherland is my #1 inspiration right now (Video)

^{Reported by Mitch Bowmile.}

WOMEN’S 100M BACKSTROKE SEMIFINALS

Top seed: Olivia Smoliga (59.65)
World record: 58.12 – Gemma Spofforth (Britain)
American record: 58.33 – Missy Franklin
U.S Open record: 58.67 – Missy Franklin
U.S Nationals record: 58.67 – Missy Franklin
JR World record: 59.37 – Minna Atherton (Australia)
2012 Winning Time: 58.85 – Missy Franklin

It’s not often that you say Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin just squeaked their way into the final, but thats exactly what happened tonight as Olivia Smoliga ran the show.

In the first semifinal Amy Bilquist came out on top with the only sub one-minute performance. Her 59.85 paved the way to give her the third seed overall.

Olivia Smoliga took absolute ownership of the second semifinal, rocketing to the wall for a 59.16 swim that puts her at the top of the list heading into tomorrow’s final. Keeping pace with Smoliga was Kathleen Baker who also posted a low 59. She was a 59.36 which gives her the other middle lane beside Smoliga tomorrow night.

Hannah Stevens was fourth overall in 1:00.07.

Missy Franklin was seventh in 1:00.45, Natalie Coughlin was eighth in 1:00.46. Grace Ariola was ninth in 1:00.49, and just three one-hundredths away from sending Natalie Coughlin’s backstroke career packing.

Smoliga and Baker have edged their way to the front of the pack for tomorrow’s final where Franklin and Coughlin will need to be significantly faster if either Olympic gold medallist has hopes of taking home another title in the 100 back.

TOP 8

1. Olivia Smoliga (59.16)
2. Kathleen Baker (59.36)
3. Amy Bilquist (59.85)
4. Hannah Stevens (1:00.07)
5. Ali DeLoof (1:00.11)
6. Clara Smiddy (1:00.29)
7. Missy Franklin (1:00.45)
8. Natalie Coughlin (100.46)

For official results click here.