It has been quite some time since a newcomer has been able to set ablaze the PIAA swimming scene like Gateway freshman Olivia Livingston. Her performance at WPIALs was one for the ages - and record books. And she did not disappoint at states, either.
Just a few weeks ago, Livingston was phenomenal at WPIALs, winning the 50 and 100 freestyle, and setting WPIAL records in both. On the first day of states, Livingston made it three-for-three when it came to gold-medal record-breaking postseason swims. She swam the 50 freestyle in 22.73 seconds at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium pool.
The time was good enough to win gold and outpace another freshman, Conestoga's Caroline Famous, by 0.25 seconds. Livingston's time in the sprint event was also 0.02 seconds ahead of the previous state record held by Emily Cameron of Warwick and set in 2012.
On the second day of the PIAA Class 3A finals, Livingston had another blazing fast swim but she was denied the clean sweep, as Pennridge junior Morgan Scott edged her by 0.10 seconds to win the 100 freestyle. Her time would have won PIAA gold in two of the previous three years but on this day, she had to settle for silver.