Goals have driven Olivia Manning throughout her senior season with the Carthage High School swim team. “To place in finals at state, break my record in breaststroke from last year, and earn a national qualifying time,” Manning said when describing her personal objectives.

That pursuit has unfolded within a team still finding its rhythm. “It has overall been positive,” Manning said of team morale. “We have four freshmen and four other new swimmers from other grades, so it has been a year where everyone has been getting to know one another. My teammates motivate me, and I try to motivate them.” The growth has been visible across the roster. “It has been great watching all of the new swimmers improve their times and gain confidence in the pool,” she said. “We earned third place at conference this year, and that is the result of everyone working together at the beginning of the season.”

Team success has been a point of emphasis. “This is the largest team with the highest percentage of new swimmers during my high school career,” Manning said. “Our goal was to place well at meets as a team and not just individually.” According to her, the group’s mentality has made the difference. “Our positive attitude and our ability to boost each other up after a difficult race” stand out as the team’s biggest strength, she said.

As a senior leader, Manning embraces responsibility beyond the pool. “As one of the senior leaders, I try to demonstrate a strong work ethic and sportsmanship,” she said. “While performance is important, it is equally important to keep it fun.” She pointed to traditions like “mini-mike Monday,” saying, “We use mini-microphones to record fun team videos for our Instagram page.”

Preparation is both strategic and physical. “I look at the teams attending the meet and who their top performers are in my events,” Manning said. “I like tough competition because other swimmers push me to better my own performance.” Training includes strength and recovery. “I am in the weight room,” she said. “I do a lot of stretches to keep my muscles loose.”

Once she steps behind the blocks, focus narrows. “Before I race, I like to play the race out in my head,” Manning said. “In the end, I just have to trust in my training and do my best every time.” In relays, her approach shifts. “I like to anchor the relays, and I want my teammates to know they can count on me to finish strong,” she said.

Looking ahead, Manning hopes her impact is remembered beyond medals. “I want people to think I was a good leader, a strong role model, and I positively represent my sport,” she said. “When people hear my name, I ultimately want them to think of me as a good person, not just a good swimmer.”

Manning is a four-year state qualifier and All-State medalist, first-place conference breaststroke finisher all four years and national qualifier in the short course 100 breaststroke. “I have been admitted to the University of Missouri and will begin classes in the School of Health Sciences in the fall,” she said.