On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Oyster Bay High School Varsity Winter Track Season ended with the Nassau County Championships held at SUNY Farmingdale College. Participating for the first time in winter track, 14-year-old, ninth grader, Olivia Oliver won the Nassau County Class "B" Title. Going another season undefeated, this time running the 55 meter, with a time of 7.4 seconds. On December 20, 2002 at the first meet, "The Friendship Games" at Nassau Community College, Olivia won first place in the 55 meter and received a beautiful medal. The next meet wasn't until January 10, 2003. So, to keep herself in shape, Olivia signed up for the "Colgate Games" held at the Pratt Center in Brooklyn. The games would take place every Friday night from December 27, 2002 to January 17, 2003. The top runners would advance to the semifinals, the winners of the semifinals would then advance to the finals on Feb. 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Olivia and her parents traveled to Brooklyn every Friday night. They knew going in, that Olivia really didn't have much of a chance of winning, because the other girls that were competing were older, and year round track runners with a lot more experience than her. But it would give her a chance to see what other track talent was out there from around the region. Well, to their surprise, "Olivia blew them away." It was exciting to sit in the crowd and hear people talk. "Who is that girl?" "Where is she from?" Coaches and trainers approaching them, asking them questions about where she attends school, her age and what are her plans for the future. They couldn't believe how young she was. As parents they couldn't be prouder. Olivia only got to attend the first two weeks. The third week, Olivia got sick and was home from school for a week with an upper respiratory infection. It's OK though, at least she got a chance to go and experience it, and she knows what to expect for next year.

While being sick, she also missed out on going to the second "Friendship Games" at Nassau College. Olivia had two weeks to rest and get ready for the Conference Championship meet at SUNY Farmingdale College on Jan. 24. She was seeded #1. As expected, she won the Conference 6 Title. It was a big night for her, because all the schools from Conference 4, 5 and 6 were there and Olivia ran her best time of 7.4 seconds. She had the fastest time out of all three conferences that night. Then on Feb. 8, the big win, her second Nassau County Championship win. Olivia is the youngest girl from Nassau County to compete and win the 2002 Nassau County Class "C" Title for Spring Track in the 100 and 200 meters. She qualified and advanced on to the State Championships in Rochester, NY. She is ranked among the top 10 runners in New York State. She was voted "MVP" at the "2002 Oyster Bay High School Athletic Awards Dinner."

So, what's next for this high school freshman? "I get to take three weeks off, then spring track starts," said Olivia.

Congratulations Olivia on your accomplishments and success and good luck in your spring track season.