MOST 15-year-olds struggle with juggling their school work, social lives, preparing to sit driving exams and sport, let alone working their way towards personal best times ahead of state championships and leading their side into a netball finals series.
This is the challenge facing young Olivia King, 15, as she prepares for the Victorian State Swimming Champions on the weekend in Melbourne, waiving a chance to take on Woorinen in a grand final qualifying match in the Central Murray under 15s netball tournament with Tyntynder.
Her end of year achievements will be buoyed by the announcement of a fully funded scholarship she will be receiving to swim in Melbourne next year, just a week after breaking the one minute barrier in her 100 metre freestyle discipline.
The ecstatic Olivia told The Guardian she could not wait for her future and the training ahead of her.
“I will moving to Melbourne and will be boarding at the school, I am nervous but I know it will be worthwhile,” she said.
“It was a surprise to get, it just popped up and I took it … I am not too sure on my long term goals in swimming, but I want to go back to nationals next year and see where it goes from there.”
Olivia will race in seven races on the weekend, with the talent hoping to crack a final in the 100m freestyle.
Last week she swam the distance in 59.4 seconds, her first time under a minute.
“I was stoked about that,” she said.
“It is hard trying to juggle both sports together, but I will do what I can to get better.
“I am disappointed I will miss my finals with the girls, but they are strong without me and I have no doubt they will kill it.
“I am so proud of myself. I have come a long way.”
