See How She Got Started in the OUA

Anchored in the efforts to spotlight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) student-athletes, the initiative See How She Got Started showcases and tells the story of how some of the conference’s talented student-athletes first got involved in sport and have made their way to the varsity stage on which they currently shine.  It is also hoped that their stories can inspire young athletes to aspire to compete in varsity-level sports.

 

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Olivia Lichti 

University - 

McMaster University

 

Sport -

Wrestling

 

Year of Eligibility -

1st Year

 

Hometown - 

New Hamburg, ON 

 

Program of Study - 

Kinesiology 

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

My high school gym teacher encouraged me to go out for our wrestling team and I ended up falling in love with the sport.

 

What most interested you about your sport that made you want to pursue it at a high level?

I think what inspired me to want to pursue wrestling at a high level was watching people who were so much better than me. It was amazing to see all the little details they needed to focus on to be successful.  

 

Was there a specific moment/experience that led you to believe you could compete in your sport at a high level, and if so, what was it?

For me, it was in my first year of wrestling. I was able to qualify for the Ontario Federation of Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Wrestling Championships. Even though I was super inexperienced, I forced myself to believe that I could do it and I did. This particular event ended up being a life-changing experience for me. 

 

What is your fondest memory/experience of being involved in your sport thus far?

I would say my fondest memory is having the opportunity to be on Team Ontario at the 2022 Canada Summer Games (CSG). And, even more special was to be able to win a silver medal with this Ontario CSG team. 

 

Is there someone who inspires you to continue to pursue your sport at this high level (i.e., coach, professional athlete, family member, etc.) and what makes them an inspiration to you?

I think for me, it's my whole McMaster wrestling team that inspires me.  Knowing the day in and day out grind we experience together and how we work hard together to achieve our goals. As a team, we do everything we can to support each other. We truly are a family.

 

What excites you most about continuing your athletic journey at the varsity level within the OUA?

I think what excites me continuing with my sport journey is seeing what my team can accomplish together. I truly believe we can do amazing things. 

 

 

What is/are some of the more unique aspect(s) of your sport that others may not know about?

I would say that anyone of any body type can wrestle and be successful at the highest level. 

 

If someone else was looking to start playing your sport, what one piece of advice would you give them to get them started?

If you are someone who wants to start wrestling, I would tell you to learn to love the process of getting good at a sport. If you can teach yourself to love hard workouts, making healthy choices and pushing through physical and mental challenges, every day in wrestling will be a great day.

 

What is one critical thing that you do to try to continue to experience improvement within your sport (i.e., specific drill/exercise, training regimen, routine, etc.)?

One critical thing I focus on is always expanding the number of techniques I can do and perfecting all the little details that go with learning each technique. 

 

What would you say to your 10-year-old self about playing and staying in sport?

Knowing that my 10 year-old self was a hockey player, I would tell her to keep being herself. 

 

Is there one strategy that you find works well for you in creating a positive student/athlete balance in your life?

I think it's really important to stay connected with friends & family.  It's also about working hard to get my work done ahead of time and to schedule in rest time where I lay in bed and do something relaxing.

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Head to the SWSCD Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. Find, rate and review programs, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing.  

Start a group around a physical activity in your neighbourhood. Explore events. Check out our SWSCD Hub.

Look for advice, stories, news and more on our Wrestling activity page.  

Have a sport, recreation or physical activity accomplishment you'd like to celebrate and shout out through SWSCD?  Become a SWSCD member and share your story directly on SeeWhatSheCanDo. Or, simply add the hashtag #seewhatshecando to your public social media posts and SWSCD can help you inspire others around you.