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Backstroke and freestyle specialist Olivia Esperas, a native of Sacramento, California, has committed to swim and study at American University, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. He trains year-round with DART Swimming and attends Christian Brothers High School.
Esperas confirmed the commitment in an email to SwimSwam, and provided the following quote:
I’m very blessed and excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at American University! I’d firstly like to thank God, my family, coaches, friends, and teachers for their dedication and support. A special thank you to Coach Garland and Coach Matt for making my dream of D1 swimming come true. I can’t wait to be part of this incredible program for the next 4 years. Go Eagles!
In February, Esperas competed at the Speedo Sectionals in Roseville with her club team, where she is coached by 2012 U.S. Olympian Scott Weltz. Her only personal best came in the 200 free, where she secured 28th in 1:56.53. She added season bests of 53.99 for 37th in the 100 free and 25.61 for 70th in the 50 free. She also produced 58.81 and 2:09.11 in the backstroke events, placing 28th and 21st, respectively.
The future Eagle’s major focus meet this past high school season was the California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Sectional Championship in May. She touched 12th in the 100 back (1:00.71) and 16th in the 100 free (54.11). She also led off the 200 medley relay that finished fifth in 27.93 and logged 53.73 on the third leg of the 400 free relay that took seventh.
Her best times in the 50 (25.32) and 100 (53.95) free stem from the 2024 edition of the Sac-Joaquin Sectionals. Her bests of 59.64 and 2:07.54 in the backstrokes come from time trials in late February.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 25.32
- 100 Freestyle: 53.95
- 200 Freestyle: 1:56.53
- 100 Backstroke: 59.64
- 200 Backstroke: 2:07.54
American University is a member of the Patriot League, and the women finished seventh at last year’s championships. Esperas will add depth to the sprint freestyle and backstroke events. She would have ranked fourth in the 200 back, seventh in the 100 back, ninth in the 200 free, 10th in the 100 free, and 11th in the 50 free on last season’s team depth chart.
At the 2025 Patriot League Championships—where ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ finals are offered—it took times of 24.05, 52.28, and 1:54.72 to make the top 24 and score in the freestyle events, and 57.70 and 2:05.09 in the backstroke events.
Esperas joins a women’s recruiting class of Alaina Allbaugh-Heinz and Ellie Groce.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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