Olivia Chapman has been a part of Oviedo’s track and field team since her sophomore year. After five years of training in a sport she loves, she committed to Florida International University (FIU). Chapman has shown great dedication over the years, proving everyday that she believed she could make it big.
“One of my motivations was to never quit from failure because there’s always success around the corner,” O. Chapman said.
There were countless people who were supportive all the way through Chapman’s track and field career.
“I am super proud of her and all her accomplishments. I can’t wait to see her do amazing at FIU,” Justice Sampson, one of Chapman’s close friends, said.
“I feel very grateful,” Chapman said. “My dad was in the military so moving from Louisiana to Florida while continuing my track and field career was a struggle, but my mom was extremely supportive, my family was extremely supportive. I’ve been able to find good coaching along the way.”
Her coaches, her friends, even the FIU coaches stuck by her; through it all, the biggest supporter was her mother Jamie Chapman.
“I am her mom, so I support her in all she does,” J. Chapman said.
Jamie was both a coach and mother to Olivia throughout the years, constantly being by her daughters side and supporting her dreams.
“I go to every practice, every meet, all over the country. I take her film, give her feedback on a good or bad throw. I shag her many discuses. Basically, we have been in this together,” J. Chapman said.
The coaches that Chapman met along the way were another group of people who were clear supporters in this equation. Nicole Evans, known to Chapman as Coach Cole, especially.
“To see Olivia sacrifice and succeed is one of the greatest joys of my life,” Cole said, “she wanted it, she worked for it and she earned this accomplishment. There is nothing she cannot do.”
During her junior year, Chapman sent out an email to Ryan Heberling, an FIU coach, but never received a response. The following summer, while sending out more emails and applications, her mom suggested sending one more email. Fifteen minutes later, they got not only a response, but also an invitation to Heberling’s 2026 recruiting class. While throwing at FIU, Chapman was offered a spot and after some thinking, secured her place as a Panther.
“Olivia never loses, she is an incredible student and athlete,” J. Chapman said, “she is amazing and loved!”
Setting a goal like this for yourself takes a great deal of dedication. Chapman has been putting an immense amount of effort into her track and field career, it’s no shock that she was rewarded with the chance of attending FIU.
“She is one of the greatest examples of how work can make anything we believe possible,” Cole said.
