Career
She currently holds the American record in the 50-meter backstroke (short course). At the 2012 United States Olympic Trials, the qualifying meet for the 2012 Olympics, Smoliga missed the Olympic team by finishing fourth in the 100-meter backstroke (1:0046) and twenty-third in the 50-meter freestyle (2566). During the semifinals, Smoliga swam a personal best of 59.82 breaking the long course one-minute barrier for the first time.
At the Illinois State High School Championships in November 2012 Smoliga broke the national high school records in both the 100 yard backstroke (5143) and 50 yard freestyle (2199).
In the 100-meter backstroke final, Smoliga surprised the field by winning gold in a time of 56.64 swimming from lane 1. In the last 50-meters, Smoliga had the fastest split in the field with a time of 29.74.
Smoliga also earned gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, silver in the 50-meter backstroke (in which she set the American record), and bronze in the 4×100-meter medley relay. She was struck with mononucleosis prior to the 2014 Phillips 66 National Championships, leading her to bad results in both that championship and the 2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.
However, being the fifth best time at the 100m backstroke, she retained her spot at the national swimming team, and was qualified for the 2015 Pan American Games.