OT Qualifier Olivia Mendenhall Switches Commitment from Arkansas to Kentucky

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Olivia Mendenhall, a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American from Springfield Aquatics in Missouri, has announced her commitment to the University of Kentucky class of 2025.

“I am beyond excited and grateful to announce my commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of  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’t wait to join such an amazing group in Lexington! GO CATS!😼💙”

Mendenhall had previously committed to University of Arkansas last August, but changed her decision, telling SwimSwam, “after many girls [were] transferring and [after] talking with the coaches, I decided it was best for me to go somewhere else where I would thrive. When looking at Kentucky, I knew it was the place for me! At Kentucky, the team culture and support for the athletes is amazing, everyone is so positive and they push each other to get better everyday in and out of the pool! I’m so excited to be with such an amazing group of people this fall!”

In the 10 months since her original commitment, Mendenhall has improved markedly in her top events. She dropped 1.3 seconds in the 100 breast, 3.2 in the 200 breast, and 2.4 in the 200 IM. In November at the TYR Thanksgiving Finals, she notched PBs in the 100 back, 100 fly, and 400 IM. A month later at the Lee’s Summit and SPA 18&U Winter Championships, she went best times in the 50/100/200 free, 100/200 breast, and 200 IM. At Lee’s Summit, she was runner-up in the 100 breast and 200 breast. At the SPA meet, she finished 9th in the 50 free, 5th in the 100 free, 2nd in the 100 breast, 1st in the 200 breast, 4th in the 200 IM, and 1st in the 400 IM.

At Jenks Sectionals in March, she qualified for Olympic Trials Wave I in the 100 breast with 1:10.28. She also swam lifetime bests in the 50 free (27.99), 200 breast (2:33.52), 200 IM (2:25.09), and 400 IM (5:16.36).

Top SCY times:

  • 200 breast – 2:12.78
  • 100 breast – 1:02.03
  • 50 breast – 29.73
  • 400 IM – 4:30.30
  • 200 IM – 2:08.15

Mendenhall will join the Wildcats with Annie Galvin, Caroline Benda, Kaelan Daly, Maddie Welborn, Madeline Wenig, and Megan Ciezczak in the fall.

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College Swim
3 years ago

So..is Arkansas going to have a team next year?

Mark Torres
Reply to  College Swim
3 years ago

Wonder if Swim Swam has reached out to the coach for comment on the overall state of the program?

Bhnelson
Reply to  Mark Torres
3 years ago

They should reach out to the Athletic director. Not much can be said since the investigation is still ongoing as of 2 weeks ago.

MICKEYMOUSE
Reply to  Bhnelson
3 years ago

I wasn’t aware of an investigation happening, where is that being directed towards?

Bhnelson
Reply to  College Swim
3 years ago

This is not the first commitment they have lost. One for the fall 2021 decommitted earlier.

Bhnelson
Reply to  College Swim
3 years ago

Pretty small and I dont think they have a dive coach yet

Corn Pop
Reply to  Bhnelson
3 years ago

They sent a plane to LA to pick up the new coach for women’s gym . No other than 2011 World & Olympic champ Jordan Wieber so I’d say that’s where they will be spending the $$$$. Plus throw in her significant Survivors social media & you have a market.

Last edited 3 years ago by Corn Pop

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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