Northern Kentucky swimmer headed to MIT
PARK HILLS, Ky. — Olivia Wallace, a recent graduate of Notre Dame Academy, has been accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming one of the first students in the school’s history to earn admission to the prestigious university.
Wallace will continue her academic and athletic career this fall as a member of the MIT women’s swimming and diving team.
During her time at Notre Dame Academy, Wallace qualified for the finals of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) State Swimming Championships in each of her four years, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in the 500 freestyle and a seventh-place finish in the 200 freestyle at the 2025 state meet, along with an eighth-place finish in the 200 freestyle and a ninth-place finish in the 100 freestyle as a senior. She helped lead the Pandas to four consecutive Region 7 team championships and three state runner-up finishes, and was ranked ninth in Kentucky among Class of 2026 swimmers by Swimcloud.
In addition to her accomplishments in the pool, Wallace earned Academic All-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association of America (NISCA), placing her among approximately the top two percent of high school aquatic athletes nationwide for combined academic and athletic achievement. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Notre dame Academy on May 22
Wallace plans to study biological engineering (Course 20) at MIT, with interests in global health and endocrinology inspired in part by her lifelong experience managing Type 1 diabetes.
Wallace officially signed to swim for MIT during Notre Dame Academy’s spring signing day ceremony on April 13.
Founded in 1866, MIT is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading universities in science, engineering, and research, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of approximately four percent.
Photo Credits: Jason Wallace (Father) and Jenny Quinn (Family Friend) on the backstroke picture
