Fountain-Fort Carson diver makes most of time in Springs

Olivia Willoughby knows how to make an exit.

The Fountain-Fort Carson freshman and army brat ended her all-too-familiar one-year stay by claiming the Diver of the Year award Saturday at the Colorado Springs Metro League meet.

“It’s definitely bittersweet because I’m just now getting into it a lot,” said Willoughby, who finished sixth in the CSML finals.

The scenario is one she’s grown accustomed to while living in seven places in 15 years.

“I don’t like having to move away from people, but I love meeting new people,” she said. “I think that really makes my character so much different than if I was stuck in one place.”

Her previous stop was Carbondale, Ill., where her dad, Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, served as the ROTC professor at Southern Illinois. Her next stop is Carlisle, Pa., where her dad will attend the U.S. Army War College for a year before the next assignment.

Olivia does have constants in her life with diving and running — “my other major love,” she said.

Her mom, Nancy, is searching for a new school where Olivia can continue competing. But diving teams aren’t as prevalent in Pennsylvania.

Fountain-Fort Carson, meanwhile, is already regretting the loss of another Willoughby. Olivia’s older sister Brianna, a sophomore on the Missouri State swim team, finished sixth in the 200-yard individual medley and fifth in the 100 backstroke at state as a senior in 2008.

“She’s a tough kid physically and committed,” coach John Rork said of Olivia. “She would do anything for the team. And, yeah, we’re going to miss that talent and that potential. But, more importantly, we’re going to miss her as an individual.”