Olivia Arnold
Swimming
2008-09
Swimmer Olivia Arnold showed throughout her career how much improvement can be made through hard work and dedication.
From her freshman year through her recent senior campaign, Arnold lowered her best times by more than one minute in the 1,650-yard freestyle, 30 seconds in the 1,000 free and 15 seconds in the 500 free. After posting middle-of-the-record-book marks in those three events early in her career, she left YSU as the school record holder in all three events.
In the 1,650, her best time of 17:11.30 is 22 seconds ahead of second, in the 1,000 her 10:21.05 is 16 seconds over the nearest time and her 500 time is five seconds faster than anyone. In YSU history she ranks second in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:29.04), second in the 400 IM (4:36.82), third in the 200 IM (2:14.16) and fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.13).
Her improved times, were followed by an impressive move up the league standings as well.
During her senior campaign in 2008-09, Arnold placed third in 1,650 and fifth in the 1,000 at the Horizon League Championships. In the 500, she placed seventh. At this year's HL meet, she earned 42 points for the Guins, who finished fifth as a team scoring more than 300 points for the first time in school history. She also was part of the 800-yard freestyle relay squad that set another school mark at the league meet.
Throughout the year, she put up impressive finishes. Arnold won the 1,000 in eight meets and on five occasions lowered her school mark in the event. Three times she broke her own 1,650 mark and during the year broke a nearly 25-year-old record in the 500 free. In the fall semester she kept up the pace out of the pool as well earning a 4.00 grade-point average.
A key member of the program during her career, she served as a team captain and was the squad's Most Outstanding Swimmer for 2008-09.
As a junior, Arnold placed sixth in the 1,650, eighth in the 1,000 and 13th in the 500 free at the Horizon League Championships. As a sophomore, she finished ninth in the 1,650, 10th in the 400 IM and 17th in the 1,000 freestyle. During her freshman campaign she placed 10th in the 1,650, 12th in the 1,000 and 16th in her first league meet.
She is the first swimmer in school history to earn The Vindicator Female Athlete-of-the-Year Award.
A native of Rutherglen, Australia, she is the daughter of Gary and Anita Arnold. Majoring in political science, she owns a 3.63 grade-point average.
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