USA Swimming just announced the selection of Marina Olmstead of Chunky to its 2019 Scholastic All-America Team, the second year for Olmstead to receive this honor.
Once again, Olmstead is the only female selected from Mississippi, joining 5 male swimmers, for this honor. Olmstead qualified for this honor with her state record-breaking time of 55.72s in the 100yd Backstroke at the MS Short Course Championships in February.
Olmstead was also recognized in May when named to WTOK’s All Scholastic Sports Team for 2019. Olmstead was the first ever homeschool student to be selected in 29-year history of the All Scholastic Sports Team.
Olmstead began training with the University of Alabama Swimming and Diving Team in July and can be seen in the team’s “Tour the New Alabama Swimming and Diving Facility” video.
Because of Olmstead’s new training schedule, she did not compete in any individual events at the MS Swimming Long Course State Championships in July. She did compete in two relays, adding two more gold medals to her collection.
Younger sister Maya Olmstead also competed at the MS LC State Championships, cutting a combined 40 seconds in her seven individual events as well as swimming in four relays to help Mississippi Makos Swim Team win its 5th consecutive State Championship. Younger Olmstead reached finals in 5 events, improving her rankings an average of 6 places. Her breakout swims were in the 100m Butterfly (placed 6th, cutting 5 seconds) and the 200m IM (jumped 12 spots to place 12th, cutting 13 seconds).
