Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Sprinter Olivia Matson is set to continue her academic career and join Auburn University’s swimming and diving team in the fall of 2025. Matson attends Jerome High School in Ohio and trains with the Dublin Community Swim Team, where she specializes in the 50 free and 100 free.
Matson became a two-time finalist at the 2022 OHSAA Division I State Championship (SCY), securing 2nd place in the 50 free (23.11) and 6th place in the 100 free (51.27). During the 2021-2022 season, she recorded her high school’s fastest times in the 50 free (23.00) and 100 free (50.76).
The following year, Matson was a finalist again in the 50 free at the Championship, finishing with a time of 22.89. She placed 2nd behind Hayden Hollingsworth from Upper Arlington High School, who out-touched her with a time of 22.84. Matson’s time was the fastest 50 free recorded for Jerome High School that season.
In 2024, Matson continued her success by capturing 2nd place in both the 50 free (23.05) and 100 free (50.77) at the Championship. During the 2023-2024 school year, she ranked 1st in the 50 free and 100 free for Jerome High School.
Top SCY Times
- 50 Free – 22.89
- 100 Free – 50.76
- 200 Free – 1:55.01
With another year to continue improving, Matson could help strengthen Auburn’s sprinting group. The top three times in the 50 free this season are held by upperclassmen, with Lexie Mulvihill leading with a time of 21.96. In the 100 free, the top two times also belong to upperclassmen, with Polina Nevmovenko holding the fastest time at 48.15.
Mulvihill ended her freshman year with a time of 22.16 in the 50 free and improved it to 21.96 during the 2023-2024 season. Her time in the 100 free also improved from 49.28 her freshman year to 48.73 the following year. Nevmovenko’s 50 free time improved from 23.38 during the 2022-2023 season to 22.53 last season, while her 100 free time improved from 48.55 to 48.15.
Auburn’s women’s team placed 4th at the SEC Championship last season, showing a strong improvement from their 7th-place finish the previous year. Both Mulvihill and Nevmovenko earned spots in the A finals in their events, with Mulvihill finishing 8th in the 50 free (22.36) and Nevmovenko placing 6th in the 100 free (48.70).
Matson will join Auburn in the fall of 2025 along with Hanna Schmidt, Nora Weber, Abigail Heizer, Taylor Bacher, and Lilly Gault Abdella. Bacher is also from Ohio. Heizer, Bacher, and Abdella could all contribute to strengthening Auburn’s sprinting squad. Heizer’s fastest time in the 100 free is 49.65, while Bacher and Abdella have recorded times of 50.71 and 50.05, respectively.
Outside of swimming, Matson enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her aunt, a former collegiate swimmer, competed for the University of Findlay in Ohio.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
Congratulations, Olivia!