Meet Mediapolis sophomore golfer Olivia Hines, the high school athlete of the week

Olivia Hines never picked up a golf club until three years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Until this spring, Hines had never played competitive golf.

This week, the Mediapolis High School sophomore finds herself competing against the best high school girls golfers in the state at the Class 2A state tournament at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls.

Through 13 holes on Thursday, Hines was the 2A leader at 3-under-par after birdying holes two, six, eight and 10.

Hines is averaging 44.42 strokes per nine holes and 93.13 strokes per 18 holes and has a cumulative average of 45.49 for the season.

Hines has been on a tear late in the season. She finished as runner-up medalist to New London's Taylor Phillips at the SEI Superconference Tournament at Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club in Wapello. She was medalist at the first-round regional tournament at Kalona Golf Club with an 89, then earned medalist honors at the regional final at West Liberty Country Club with a 91.

The Hawk Eye recently caught up with Hines, The Hawk Eye's High School Athlete of the Week, to learn a little more about her.

What is your favorite sport besides golf?

"My favorite sport besides golf would have to be softball."

What is it that you like about golf?

"The thing I like most about golf is how competitive it is."

What is your best memory in golf?

"My favorite memory in golf would be anytime I golf with my cousin."

What are three reasons you like being part of a team sport?

"I like being part of a team sport because even if I'm not playing well, I have my teammates there. I also get to know the people on my team better in a team sport."

What is the best part about competing?

"The best part of competing for me is when I compete with myself. I like to see how well I do under pressure and that shows me what I need to work on more."

How do you and your teammates make practice fun?

"At golf practice we sometimes play scrambles to see how well we can work together as a team. We also have putting or chipping competitions on the practice green before we start a round."

Who is your biggest role model and why?

"I have so many role models and I can't just pick one. My role models consist of my parents and my grandparents. My parents and grandparents do so much for me, and change around their schedules to watch me golf. They are my biggest supporters and I couldn't be more grateful for them."

What is your favorite subject in school and why?

"My favorite subject in school would have to be lifting because it's one of my favorite things to do even outside of school."

What is your favorite meal?

"My favorite meal would have to be chicken fajitas or anything my grandma makes."

What is your favorite TV show?

"My favorite TV show would have to be Friends."

What do you enjoy doing in your free time and why?

"I enjoy lifting in my free time because I like to see how much I can push myself."

What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?

"My favorite is "Losers quit when they're tired, Winners quit when they've won."

What are your future plans for college and career?

"I am not sure what college I'll be attending, but I want to be a physical therapist."

What is something about yourself that would surprise people?

"Something that would surprise people about me is that this is only my third year golfing."

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Hines proving to be among the state's best girls golfers in first year