Solon's Olivia Howell was the #3 ranked freshman girl in XC last year with an 18:02. She was the leading freshman in the girls D1 State meet with a time of 18:05.80. She is ranked 9th of all returners this year. On the track, she was 2nd in the D1 1,600 at State with a 4:57.95 and recently was invited to represent Cleveland at the International Childrens Games in New Taiper Taiwan, where she won the 800m in a time of 2:17.76.
(photo M. Stonecipher)
Best time in a 5K race and in which meet?
My fastest time is 18:02 at the Legends meet.
Tell us how your summer training is going?
My summer training has been going really well, I have been working with cross country, but my track season isn't over yet. I've been training for the international children's games in Taiwan. (Olivia had answered my questions prior to going to compete for Cleveland in the ICG Championships in New Taipei City, Taiwan. She won the 800m in a time of 2:17.76) International Childrens Games 800m Results
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
With cross country, I really see a difference between starting summer training last year and this year. My goal is still to break 18:00.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running competitively for about 4 years now. I got started because my cousins in Texas were running track and found a program for me to do which was AAU. At that time I didn't know what I wanted to run, so I ended up running sprints. Then I found out that my cousins also did cross country and I'm a real outdoor person so I was interested in running on something else other than circles around the track.
Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
As I said earlier I'm representing Cleveland for international children's games in Taiwan. (See above)
What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
My favorite course other than states is the Boardman meet. I want to compete really in the GCC meet because I feel like that course was kind of challenging for me, but I want to improve on it more, now that I have experienced it.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
I want to really compete well in the GCC meet because I feel like that course was kind of challenging for me last year. I want to improve on it more now that I have experienced it.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite meet was the first one at Berkshire early bird invitational.
Favorite cross country memory?
My favorite memory is when we won districts and seeing how happy everyone was to win.
Shoot for the moon and even if you miss you land amongst the stars.
What shoes do you train in?
I train in Brooks.
What shoes do you race in?
I race in Nike spikes.
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
Lolo jones.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I find golf balls at every meet with my best friend Elsa.
