Olivia Smoliga was the runner-up in the women’s 100-meter backstroke to highlight Georgia’s showing on Friday in the Phillips 66 National Championships at The Natatorium.
 
 
Smoliga came in second with a time of 59.17 to secure a spot on the United States’ roster for the World Championships next month in Hungary. A 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Smoliga already was expected to be added as a relay alternate for the 400-meter freestyle relay.
 
 
Also in the women’s 100-meter backstroke, rising senior Kylie Stewart placed 13th in 1:00.80.
 
 
Nicolas Fink, who capped his Georgia career in 2015, placed third in the men’s 100-meter backstroke with a time of 59.40.
 
 
In the men’s 100-meter backstroke, Taylor Dale, whose Bulldog career ended in March, came in fifth in the men’s 100-meter backstroke.
 
 
Rising senior Kevin Litherland led the Bulldog contingent in the men’s 400-meter freestyle as he came in sixth in 3:51.84. Rising senior Jay Litherland took the B final for ninth in 3:50.36, while rising sophomore Walker Higgins was 12th in 3:52.66 and rising junior Aidan Burns claimed 14th in 3:55.71.
 
 
Rising senior Stephanie Peters won the consolation final of the women’s 400-meter freestyle in 4:11.39 to come in ninth, while incoming freshman Courtney Harnish was 19th in 4:13.24.
 
 
Melanie Margalis, who ended her Georgia career in 2014, took ninth in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke in 1:07.87.
 
 
The Phillips 66 Nationals will conclude Saturday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. The prelims and finals will be streamed live on USASwimming.org. Finals also can be seen live on Universal HD at 6 p.m., and Saturday (Friday’s events) and Sunday (Saturday’s events) at 1 p.m. on NBC.​