Glenview Swimmer Olivia Smoliga Earns 1st Trip to the Olympics

Olivia Smoliga earned her first trip to the Olympics during Tuesday's U.S. swimming trials, but she did so like she was a veteran Olympian.

Not only did the Glenview swimmer win the 100-meter backstroke with the fourth-fastest time in the world this year—59.02—Smoliga also did it while beating the event's defending Olympic gold medalist, Missy Franklin.

Now that she's earned a spot on the U.S. team, Smoliga is looking ahead to August and the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“I hope to get more international experience, just enjoy being with such amazing athletes,” Smoliga told USA Swimming. “It’s definitely going to be so much fun.”

RELATED: Go to USA Swimming's website for complete results of the Olympic trials

Smoliga wasn't the only North Shore swimmer to capture a spot on the U.S. Olympic team Tuesday.

Conor Dwyer continued qualifying for Olympic swimming events Tuesday, coming in second in the 200-meter freestyle final during U.S. team trials in Omaha, NE.

The Winnetka swimmer had a time of 1:45.67, barely missing a first-place finish by 0.01 seconds.

Dwyer had already earned a place on the U.S. swim team headed to Rio de Janeiro later this summer during the 400-meter freestyle event Sunday. He placed second during that event with a time of 3:44.66.

This marks the second Olympic Games Dwyer will compete in. He earned a gold medal as part of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

PHOTO: Olivia Smoliga after winning the 100-meter backstroke during the 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming team trials in Omaha, NE. (USA Swimming)

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Get News Alerts, Join Facebook Pages and Learn About Patch
• Learn how to create a Patch user account
• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Live Traffic and Transit Updates