Title: Coping with injuries as a D1 athlete

In a world where I pushed forward until I achieved greatness.

Hello all, I am Olivia Lynch a newly retired collegiate athlete. I have found passion to tell my story to hopefully inspire other young athletes. Through the struggles, I truly made my way and found what was really important to me. I am here to share my journey in hopes it gives you comfort in yours.

Not many people get to experience playing sports in college, let alone a female in Division 1 athletics. Sure, I had my ups and downs but with grit and determination, I was able to obtain a spot on the varsity diving team and earn a scholarship. I was so excited to finally see my hard work pay off, but I had my doubts… Now let's rewind, I started diving at the age of 6. I had given up any other sport and to be honest, any kind of normal childhood. My life revolved around diving. Soon after I had started, I became really good really fast. My parents were always supportive of anything and everything I wanted to do, but they realized I had so much potential. As I started growing and developing, it suddenly became a not-so-easy journey. After diving for a few years and attending numerous meets, and even placing in the top 3 every time, the injury was bound to happen. It started with my wrist, my petite body was already experiencing wear and tear at the age of 11. I had just turned 12 at summer nationals in Orlando Florida, the biggest meet of the year. I was warming up right before my event, the girls ' meter event. During the event warm-up, I had to practice one more dive, this dive was newer for me and a bit challenging for my age. I get up on the diving board and complete my dive, but something went wrong. I knew, as soon as my hands entered the water it was game over. My growth plate broke, the surrounding ligaments snapped and my face just flooded with tears. My coach immediately had to scratch me from my event and I was rushed to the hospital. I was devastated that I couldn't compete at summer nationals and do the thing I loved, diving. Little did I know I would have to have surgery a month later. So, I had the surgery, went through physical therapy, and recovered but it didn't stop there. After getting back to training and years progressing, I went on to have 3 more wrist surgeries before the age of sixteen. I continued, even though I had so many setbacks. I knew I could be great and wanted to prove it to everyone.

Lets fast forward...

It was sophomore year which meant it was time for me to look at schools that I would want to dive at and continue my education as well. It was a long process and super stressful might I add. I still hadn't decided on a school by my junior year. In February 2020, I had come off the high of my life, I just won the women's division 1 state championship title. As a junior. That was insane to me, I felt like I couldn't be stopped, but I was. My body was so worn out from the strenuous training, I ended up tearing the labrum in my hip the day I won states. I didn't realize I had injured it while I was diving because I had so much adrenaline. Yet again, another setback. I got surgery, it was fixed, and was back training… again. I was healed and ready to pick a school to dive at. I had my doubts because of my injuries, I just didn't know if I could proceed. I ended up committing to Miami University and couldn't have been any happier with my decision. Though I was back to normal, I continued to go through with my first year, but my career ended shortly after my commitment. After year one, I tore my labrum again and made the decision to medically retire. Yes, my college diving career ran short but the journey was like non-other. Going through this experience made me realize I have so much more to myself than diving.