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Olivia DiRuzza of Indianapolis, IN has announced her intention to swim for Indiana State University beginning in the fall of 2021. The backstroke specialist swims year-round for Pike Township Swim Club and she is a member of the swim team at Pike High School.
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to Indiana State University! I can’t wait to be a Sycamore in the fall of 2021! Thanks to Coach Josh and Coach Nikki for guiding me through this process and to my coaches, family and friends for supporting me. #rolltrees”
DiRuzza had competed at the 2020 Indiana Girls High School State Championships. She qualified for the meet in 2 individual events and one relay. DiRuzza and her teammates opened the meet with a 20th place finish in the 200 medley relay. DiRuzza led-off the backstroke leg in 26.94, followed by Kailey Myers on breast, Willow Thompson on fly, and Kasia Green anchoring.
DiRuzza soon returned to the blocks for her 200 IM. She dropped 1.19 seconds from her personal best for a time of 2:08.96 and placed 21st. She made it back to finals in her final race. In the prelims heats of the 100 back, DiRuzza dropped 0.74 seconds to earn the final spot in the A-final. She remained 8th after her finals swim. DiRuzza completed the meet with 3 new personal best times.
Her best event, the 200 back, isn’t a high school event, but at a local meet two days later, she dropped a few tenths for another lifetime best in 2:01.50.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 back – 26.94
- 100 back – 56.49
- 200 back – 2:01.50
DiRuzza has one more year of high school before she joins the Indiana State women’s team in the 2021-2022 season. When she joins the Sycamore women, she will be the team fastest 50, 100, and 200 backstroker. Kendall Hansen, who holds the team’s top times in the 50 and 100 back, graduated in the spring 0f 2019, and Marlene Pavlu Lewin who is ranked first in the 200 back, will graduate in the spring of 2021. Additionally, DiRuzza’s top times would have placed her in the B-final of the 100 back and the A-final of the 200 back at the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Championships.
DiRuzza will be joining breaststroker Elle Gilkerson and sprinter Alexa Szadorski as a member of the Sycamores’ class of 2025.
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