Women's Cross Country 9/28/2020 7:51:00 AM

Ask a Vulcan--Q&A with Olivia Jarvis

Women's Cross Country 9/28/2020 7:51:00 AM

Ask a Vulcan--Q&A with Olivia Jarvis

Ask a Vulcan---Questions and Answers with UHH runner Olivia Jarvis.
We miss seeing our Vulcans on the courts and playing fields, but here is another way to get to know them a little better. Olivia Jarvis has been the Vulcans top runner in nearly every race since arriving on campus in the Fall of 2018. The Oceanside, California native took the time to answer a few questions.

What is a phrase or a piece of advice that you try to live your life by?
My favorite quote is "She believed she could, so she did." Once we learn to believe in ourselves, we can accomplish our goals and other amazing things.

What attracted you to UH Hilo?
I had the opportunity to visit UH Hilo my senior year of high school when making college decisions. Right when I arrived and met the coaches, professors, and staff, everyone was very welcoming and seemed genuinely there for their students in order to get them to where they wanted to be. It was a small, tight knit community that attracted me to UH Hilo. It was also so different from home. I couldn't pass on the opportunity to try something new, experience studying environmental science and running on the Big Island.

Tell us a little bit about your hometown and where you grew up. What did you like to do when you were young?
I grew up in Oceanside, CA along the coast and next to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. Growing up, my family would bounce around from my and my sisters' sports games, cross country meets, dance recitals, or marching band competitions to support one another. When we had a free day together we would find a new place in San Diego to spend the day, go hiking, grab burritos, and watch the sunset.

When did you first start developing a passion for your sport? What did you like about it?
I started developing a passion for cross country running in high school. I really enjoyed being part of the team and the unique community runners share. Running definitely isn't an easy thing to pursue on your own. The people that are a part of the sport led to my passion. We all really bonded through the tough miles and workouts we push through together. It's exciting to see the things you can achieve as a team and how much you grow and improve individually from it all. I also like the idea that there's always someone right next to you on the course to push you and the discipline and hard work you put in, you truly see it pay off in the end.

Until your team can practice together, what kind of workouts have you been doing to stay in shape?
To stay in shape, I have been keeping up my miles and running a lot. Uphills, downhills, grass loops, roads, short fast miles, long slow miles. It's been a long break from racing and I really miss it, but it's been an opportunity to fix imbalances (really work on those exercises Aya has given us to strengthen and stretch) and build a solid base to be ready to workout with the team and whatever is next.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
My favorite professional athlete is Des Linden. She is a professional marathon runner for Brooks who has represented the United States at the Olympics and is the 2018 Boston Marathon Champion. She is someone I really look up to because she reminds the running community that success and personal records don't happen overnight. It takes hard work and sticking with it through the good days and the bad days. Advice she is known for is "Keep showing up".

What is your favorite thing to do on the Big Island?
My favorite thing to do on the Big Island is going to the valleys to see waterfalls, saying hi to the goats, grabbing a treat at the Honomu Goat Dairy farm, and watching the sunset with friends.

What is one thing that most don't know about you?
One thing most people don't know about me is that I played basketball in middle school and high school. Since it was a winter sport in between cross country and track and field, I thought it would be fun to keep it up during the off season and switch things up. I enjoyed the different strategy and teamwork (compared to running) it took to score. Taking the ball up and down the court in a close game with girls was exhilarating.

What attracted you to your major and what do you love most about your major?
I thought environmental studies and learning more about the Earth were important things to understand in order to find sustainable ways to live on our planet and make it a safe place for future generations. I love that there are many opportunities to learn outdoors in different environments and how there are so many areas to contribute in helping make the planet a better place for all.

What are you grateful for?
I am most grateful for my family! They are my favorite people in the whole wide world and never fail to put a smile on my face. They support me and always cheer me on in all I do. I wouldn't be the Olivia I am today without them. I am so thankful to have them in my life and love them very much!

What hobbies outside of your sport do you have? What are some of your favorite things to do?
Some of my favorite things to do are hiking, snorkeling, gardening, reading a good book, picnicking with friends or spending the day at the beach.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would want to go to Iceland to see another active volcanic island but covered in ice! Also to experience being in another country and see the beautiful sites of the "Land of Fire and Ice".

What is your favorite type of music, and why?
I enjoy listening to indie pop or alternative rock music because back home the local alternative radio stations would hold cheap all-day concerts with a bunch of entertaining bands that would be really fun to go to with friends on Saturdays. I've also really enjoyed listening to reggae music being on the island and listening to local bands here.

What is your favorite part about being a student-athlete?
My favorite part about being a student-athlete is having teammates that become close friends and starting every morning with them. I like traveling, competing, being home to watch friends from other teams do their thing and cheer them on.

What are some of your favorite places to eat in Hilo? What type of food do you enjoy?
Some of my favorite places to eat in Hilo are Hawaiian Style Cafe, Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack, Sweet Cane Cafe, and East Wind Chinese Cuisine.

What do you miss about your hometown while you are at UH Hilo?
I miss my family, street tacos, and bean, rice & cheese burritos from my hometown in Oceanside, CA. You can't quite get the same Mexican food experience in Hilo like in San Diego, CA.

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Players Mentioned

Olivia Jarvis: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Olivia Jarvis
: 5' 2"; Sophomore