Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Oliwia Okaj awarded the Silkworm Saluki Futures Scholarship
02/27/2019 | 9:34:00 | Swimming & Diving
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Oliwia Okaj, a senior from Ruda Slaska, Poland and member of the Saluki swimming team, received the Silkworm Saluki Futures Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic school year. Okaj was an All-MVC honorable mention swimmer in 2016.
"Oliwia has meant the world to this program," said head swimming and diving coach Rick Walker. "She's had her struggles with injuries but has always stepped up to the challenge."
Coach Walker is one of the main reasons that Okaj chose to come to SIU when deciding on schools in the US.
"After meeting Rick, I just knew that I would find my second home here at SIU," said Okaj. "I've really enjoyed my experience here in Carbondale and a lot of that is because of my team and coaches."
In the 2016 season, Okaj grabbed three top-five finishes in the pool. She placed third in the 500-yard freestyle at the Evansville meet (5:21.00), and was part of the third place 400-yard freestyle relay at Little Rock. Okaj was also a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay team that broke the SIU school record (3:23.70) at the MVC Championships. That relay time came in the final race of the championship and lifted SIU past favored Missouri State by 0.5 points for the MVC title.
"Many may have forgotten already but Oliwia was the leadoff swimmer on our MVC relay team that captured the title for us in 2016," said Walker. "I really can't say enough about her. She just has a phenomenal character and we will certainly miss her when she graduates."
The Silkworm Saluki Futures Scholarship Fund was created on February 3, 1998 by a local company called Silkworm, Inc., and was established during the Saluki Futures Capital Campaign. The company began as a simple "class project" between two high school friends printing t-shirts in a basement and is now located in a 32,000 square foot facility. Silkworm, Inc. is equipped with state-of-the art presses, machinery and 65 dedicated team members, is the region's leader in custom graphic design, promotional products, embroidered apparel, banners, signage, awards, and of course, printed t-shirts.
"I am really just so thankful for all of the support I've had while I've been here," said Okaj. "I am so proud to call myself a Saluki."
"Oliwia has meant the world to this program," said head swimming and diving coach Rick Walker. "She's had her struggles with injuries but has always stepped up to the challenge."
Coach Walker is one of the main reasons that Okaj chose to come to SIU when deciding on schools in the US.
"After meeting Rick, I just knew that I would find my second home here at SIU," said Okaj. "I've really enjoyed my experience here in Carbondale and a lot of that is because of my team and coaches."
In the 2016 season, Okaj grabbed three top-five finishes in the pool. She placed third in the 500-yard freestyle at the Evansville meet (5:21.00), and was part of the third place 400-yard freestyle relay at Little Rock. Okaj was also a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay team that broke the SIU school record (3:23.70) at the MVC Championships. That relay time came in the final race of the championship and lifted SIU past favored Missouri State by 0.5 points for the MVC title.
"Many may have forgotten already but Oliwia was the leadoff swimmer on our MVC relay team that captured the title for us in 2016," said Walker. "I really can't say enough about her. She just has a phenomenal character and we will certainly miss her when she graduates."
The Silkworm Saluki Futures Scholarship Fund was created on February 3, 1998 by a local company called Silkworm, Inc., and was established during the Saluki Futures Capital Campaign. The company began as a simple "class project" between two high school friends printing t-shirts in a basement and is now located in a 32,000 square foot facility. Silkworm, Inc. is equipped with state-of-the art presses, machinery and 65 dedicated team members, is the region's leader in custom graphic design, promotional products, embroidered apparel, banners, signage, awards, and of course, printed t-shirts.
"I am really just so thankful for all of the support I've had while I've been here," said Okaj. "I am so proud to call myself a Saluki."
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