Olivia Asay Becomes First Public Iowa Commit Since Program Was Re-Instated

Olivia Asay of Downers Grove, IL has announced her verbal commitment to the University of Iowa for the fall of 2022, becoming the first recruit to publicly commit to the program since it was re-instated last February.

“I am so excited and blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Iowa! Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, family, coaches, and friends-teammates for all of your support, kindness, and love! #gohawks”

Asay is a rising senior at Downers Grove North High School and represents Hinsdale Swim Club. At Hinsdale, Asay specializes in the sprint butterfly and IM events, with a strong range across all 4 strokes. At the Sectionals meet in Pleasant Prairie last month, Asay was a finalist in the 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, and 200 IM. She also swam the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle, showing off her impressive range. 

Best Times SCY: 

• 100 butterfly – 55.66
• 200 butterfly – 2:06.75
• 200 IM – 2:06.42
• 100 backstroke – 58.54 
• 50 freestyle – 24.59
• 100 freestyle – 53.00

With her best times, Asay will be a major asset when she arrives at the Iowa program. In the 100 butterfly, Asay’s personal best would have ranked 4th on Iowa’s roster last season, ahead of 2 swimmers who represented the school at the Big 10 Championships. In addition, her best time in the 200 IM would have ranked 6th on the roster last season. Asay also has a wide array of events to choose from to complete her line-up, as she could be used in the 200 butterfly, 100 backstroke, or either of the sprint freestyle events. 

Although she is slightly off of what it took to score in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM at the 2021 Big 10 Championships, Asay has cut time off of multiple events during the long course season and could be in for some big drops in the short course pool. At the 2021 Big 10 Championships, the Iowa women finished 8th out of 13 teams with a total of 42 points. The team saw two women make the A-final of the 100 butterfly, where Mallory Jump tied for 6th and Kelsey Drake finished 8th. 

Prior to the beginning of the 2020-2021 season, Iowa announced that it would be cutting both its men’s and women’s swim teams. The women’s team was later reinstated due to Title IX concerns, meaning that Asay is the first recruit to commit to Iowa since the program’s reinstatement. However, the Iowa men’s team was not reinstated with the women’s program. As a result of the programs both initially being cut, the Iowa women only have 12 athletes, with 8 total swimmers and 4 divers, on their roster for the 2021-2022 season, with no recruits added to the roster last season.