By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Aldie (October 4, 2015) – John Champe High School senior Maddie Oliver has made a commitment to continue her swimming career at the Georgia Institute of Technology starting in the 2016-2017 school year.
“Georgia Tech is an outstanding school, and they are a top swimming program. I have always wanted to swim for a Division I ACC team,” the 5-foot-9 Oliver said. “I can now focus on enjoying my senior year as well as on my academics and swimming without the pressure of waiting to hear back from colleges.”
The back-to-back fourth place finisher in the VHSL 3A state 100-yard butterfly event and 2015 fourth place finisher in the 200-yard freestyle event, Oliver helped the Lady Knights to a fourth place team finish at the VHSL 3A state championship this past winter.
“I am so excited about this upcoming season! Champe has some great returning swimmers as well as some new freshmen coming up that will add some depth to the team,” Oliver said. “With our school’s move to 4A, we know the competition will be even more tough, but I know the team is up for the challenge.”
A reclassification for 2015-2017 has moved John Champe up a division to the VHSL 4A as a member of the VHSL 4A West region’s Conference 22.
In 2014-2015 — while still in the VHSL 3A East region — Oliver turned in an impressive performance placing third in the 100-yard butterfly, fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and helping the Knights to a win in the 200-yard medley relay, a runner-up in the 200-yard freestyle relay and a second place team finish overall.
“It would be awesome to win conference and regions; winning states would be a dream,” Oliver said. “For myself, this year, I am just focusing on getting faster. I would love to final at the state meet, as I have done in prior years, winning some points for the team.”
The Division I Yellow Jackets – and their head coach – have also had their share of success over the years.
Seventh-year head coach Courtney Shealy Hart is an Olympic gold medalist and former world record-holder as part of the 2000 Summer Olympics’ world record-breaking 4×100-meter freestyle relay team.
“I love to compete, and I think I will bring that passion to my swims for the Yellow Jackets,” said Oliver who plans to swim in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events in college. “I work hard and am committed to my swimming. Hopefully, that translates into some fast swims for the team.”
Born in Ashburn, Oliver first got started pumping out fast times when she joined her neighborhood swim team – the Lenah Run Froggers – when she was just nine years old.
“I fell in love with the sport and have had great summer, high school and year-round coaches that have pushed me,” Oliver said. “My year-round team, Snow Swimming is like family to me. My coach, Jim Rumbaugh, has been awesome to swim for. He really gets to know his swimmers and what motivates them.”
