ACL tear doesn’t deter Smith
Mirror Female Athlete of the Week
Name: Olivia Smith
School: Central
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Sport: Softball
Athlete of the week achievement: Smith went 4-for-5, with a three-run homer, and scored four times in a 14-2 win over Cambria Heights in the District 6 Class 3A quarterfinals. She then went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and scored twice in a 10-1 victory over Bald Eagle Area in the semifinals.
Season update: Smith is hitting .435 (27-for-62) with 18 RBIs.
Coach Dale Walters’ quote: “Olivia is a great team leader who has worked her tail off after tearing her ACL in September to get back to playing. She is the girl that sets the table for us. She has continued to get better every year, never settling, always wanting to be the best player she can be for herself and her teammates.”
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Seiler
Favorite subject: Biology
Favorite movie: “Black Panther”
Favorite food: Venison
Favorite song: “When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs
Outside interests: Hunting, soccer, lifting
Favorite professional team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite college team: Penn State
Pro athlete most admired: Sierra Romero
Best athlete I ever competed against: Hollidaysburg’s Mikayla Focht
Most influential person on my athletic career: Central softball coaching staff
Proudest athletic achievement: District 6 softball and soccer championships
How I got my start in softball: Playing Spring Cove youth softball and learning from Jamie Focht
Future goal: Have a successful academic and softball career at Davis & Elkins College in W.Va.