Olivia Pisano swims her way onto the record board

It was December 5 at the second swim team dual meet when Olivia Pisano broke the 100 backstroke record for the high school. With a time of 1:02.59, a freshman had smashed a record at the very beginning of the swim season.

Coach Amanda Marlow responded “I knew she had the potential, but I wasn't sure when in the season I could see this happen and it being so early in the season makes me excited to see what the rest of the season will hold.”

It only makes sense that Pisano has broken this record so early based on her swimming previous to the high school team. She joined USA swimming at 8 years old after joining her neighborhood’s summer team in Hawthorn when she was 7. Since then, Pisano’s continued to swim year round on different teams both short and long course.

Pisano expressed her passion for swimming: “I enjoy swimming a lot, the amount of time and hard work it takes all pays off in the end and that's why I truly love the sport. One of my favorite aspects of swimming are the amazing people who I swim with, and overall just the whole sport.”

Other swimmers on the high school team have noticed how hard she works during practices and enjoy having her on the team.

When asked if Pisano trains hard during practices, sophomore Collin Sapochetti said “Yes, very. She nearly laps everybody in the lane.”

Similarly, junior Alex Bailey said “I can't speak for others, but Olivia has inspired me to put further effort into my practices… Olivia is an asset to the team, and I have enjoyed having swimming with her.”

Freshman Maeve Russell said “I have swam with Olivia before, she trains hard during tough practices...I enjoy having Olivia on our team. She’s really kind and funny!”

Pisano hopes to drop more time through the rest of the season and continue to break more school records. As a freshman, she already plans to swim through her four years of high school and possibly college.

Coach Marlow also has high hopes for Pisano in the near future of competitions: “With her times she is swimming now I have faith she will make it to districts.”

Pisano highly encourages others to try swimming as high school swim has been an amazing experience for her so far as she loves the team and the coaches.