Courtesy: Westmont Athletics
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont women’s swimming has signed its second recruit of the high school class of 2021, Olivia Garrison of Roseville, head coach Jill Jones Lin announced. She joins Ella Chaisson of Burbank, who was announced as this class’ first signee a couple weeks ago.
“Olivia is a great fit for Westmont College and for our program,” Jones Lin said. “Despite being in quarantine, strange swim practice hours and remote schooling, Olivia has seen many time improvements in her events this summer. I was inspired by her commitment to improve in her swimming and I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach Olivia next year.”
Garrison is a senior at Granite Bay High School, where as a freshman and sophomore she was a CIF qualifier and finalist. At the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championships during her sophomore season, she placed ninth in the 500 yard free and 12th in the 200 yard free. She was also a member of the 4×100 yard free relay team that finished first.
“I am excited to continue my swimming with an incredible coaching staff and team,” Garrison said. “I can’t wait to be a part of and contribute to this new team, while growing in my swimming ability and relationship with God.”
Garrison, who was only able to compete in a few meets during her junior season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, holds personal-best times of 55.58 seconds in the 100 yard free, 1:58.70 in the 200 yard free, 5:15.37 in the 500 yard free and 10:49.52 in the 1000 yard free.
“I am most looking forward to creating close friendships with my teammates,” Garrison said. “I got to meet the team when I visited last month and everyone was so welcoming and friendly.”
Garrison swims club for the Sierra Marlins Swim Team. The Roseville native said she will major in religious studies at Westmont with the goal of pursuing mission work one day.
“The Christ-centered environment of Westmont drew me in and made me feel at home. I love the tight-knit community that the campus brings. Coming from such a large high school in Granite Bay, I am excited to be able to get more individual attention to further develop myself and reach my goals.”
Westmont women’s swimming, having already competed in one virtual meet so far this 2020-21 season, is scheduled to compete in another one on Dec. 12.