Olivia Harrigian, a senior at San Marino High School, has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where she will also compete for the Falcons’ cross country and track teams. Olivia was also accepted to the United States Naval Academy. She received her appointment from United States Congresswoman Judy Chu.
“I was drawn to the academies by the opportunity that I saw to continue building myself as a person through mental and physical challenge, a concept that I learned through running,” Olivia told The Tribune. “In all my visits I was struck by the passion that is present at the Air Force Academy, which is necessary in taking a positive approach to the challenges in every aspect of life at the Academy.”
Olivia has participated in San Marino High School’s cross country and track programs for four years. She is the defending Rio Hondo League champion in the 1,600-meter run and also won the 3,200-meter run in 2014. Last year, she was co-Athlete of the Meet for the RHL finals, where she won the mile, came in 2nd in the 3,200-meter run and placed in the 4×400-meter relay, qualifying for CIF in all three events.
Olivia was a member of San Marino High School’s girls’ cross country team that won the league championship for the first time since 1999. She is also the youngest female to win The Tribune’s J.P. Blecksmith 5K Walk & Run, which she did on July 4, 2015.
During her high school career, Olivia was appointed to California Girls State, was a Civil Air Patrol cadet and earned her Girl Scout Gold Award.
“I am excited to be exposed to a wide range of academic topics, because everything from physics to behavioral sciences interests me,” Olivia added. “Ultimately I hope that the opportunities, discipline, and values at the Air Force Academy will be another step in becoming the person that I would like to be.”
Her twin sister, Fiona, will attend Wellesley College in the fall. They are the daughters of Karen and Mike Harrigian of San Marino.
