Livesay, Swope make decisions to continue athletic careers in college

A pair of Polk County athletes have made decisions to continue their careers at the college level.

Senior tennis player Alivia Livesay has verbally committed to Wittenberg College in Ohio and senior cross country and track athlete Allison Swope has verbally committed to Lenoir-Rhyne. Both athletes will sign their official letters-of-intent in a ceremony on Friday in the school library.

Livesay claimed the Western Highlands Conference singles title last fall and was named the conference player of the year. She advanced to the state 2A tournament after going 3-1 in Western Regional tourney action.

Livesay also won three WHC doubles titles as a Wolverine.

Swope moved to Polk County before the start of the season and had an immediate impact in her first season of running. She placed 13th in the Western Highlands Conference cross country meet, then helped the Wolverine 4×800-meter relay team place second in the state indoor track meet. She also placed seventh in the 1000-meter run and helped the 4×400-meter relay team finish eighth.

Livesay and Swope will join Mark Mazzilli, who has signed to play baseball next season at Brevard College, as Polk County seniors who have signed letters-of-intent to continue their careers in college.