Olivia King: The Ascendancy of a Collegiate Distance Running Prodigy

Olivia King, a standout distance runner for Jacksonville State University (JSU), has carved a niche in collegiate track and field through her performances in middle- and long-distance events. Specializing in the 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, and cross country, King’s career is marked by steady progression, school records, and resilience in transitioning from soccer to competitive running. This biography traces her journey from high school athletics to her current status as one of JSU’s most accomplished distance runners.

Early Life and Transition to Running

Roots in Jacksonville, Alabama

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Alabama, Olivia King attended Jacksonville High School, where she initially focused on soccer. Her athleticism and endurance were evident early, as she lettered in soccer and contributed to her team’s competitive efforts9. Despite her success on the field, King’s trajectory shifted when she enrolled at North Idaho College (NIC). There, she spent three seasons with the NIC soccer program, honing the aerobic base that would later underpin her running career9.

Pivot to Collegiate Running

In 2023, King transferred to Jacksonville State University, transitioning fully to track and field and cross country. This shift aligned with her academic focus on Kinesiology, a discipline that likely informed her approach to training and injury prevention9. Her late entry into competitive running—a rarity in a sport where many athletes specialize during adolescence—highlights her adaptability and work ethic.

Collegiate Career at Jacksonville State University

Cross Country Foundations

King’s cross country performances at JSU laid the groundwork for her track success. At the 2024 Conference USA Cross Country Championships, she clocked 22:06.3 for the 6k, placing 34th overall1. Her 5k personal best of 18:08.9, achieved at the 2024 Upstate Invite, positioned her as a key scorer for the Gamecocks1. These results underscored her rapid adaptation to collegiate-level training volumes and race tactics.

Breakthrough on the Track

Indoor Season Highlights

During the 2025 indoor season, King demonstrated versatility across events:

• Mile: At the Samford January Invite 2025, she ran 5:10.05, a time competitive within the Conference USA (CUSA) landscape1.

• 3000 Meters: She shattered her personal best with 10:10.94 at the Music City Challenge, ranking 17th in a field of elite Southeastern runners1.

• 5000 Meters: A 17:35.25 performance at the Scarlet Knight Open signaled her readiness for outdoor season ambitions1.

Outdoor Dominance and School Record

The 2025 outdoor season cemented King’s legacy at JSU. At the Outdoor Music City Challenge, she clocked 17:33.93 in the 5000 meters, breaking the school record and placing 16th in a deep field18. This performance, nearly two minutes faster than her 2024 best, reflected strategic pacing and improved lactate threshold management.

Her 10,000-meter debut at the 2025 CUSA Outdoor Championships yielded a time of 38:37.40, showcasing her endurance and ability to handle grueling double-race weekends1.

Event Specialization and Technical Evolution

The 5000 Meters: A Signature Event

King’s focus on the 5000 meters exemplifies her blend of speed and stamina. Coaches often deploy her in tactical races where her closing speed—honed through mile training—proves decisive. Her progression in the event is notable:

This 4.3% improvement over one year underscores her response to collegiate training regimens1.

Cross-Training Insights

King’s soccer background likely contributes to her running economy. The multidirectional demands of soccer develop ancillary muscles and proprioception, which translate to efficient stride mechanics in distance events. Her training logs, though not publicly available, presumably incorporate:

• Aerobic base-building: Long runs exceeding 10 miles at moderate intensity.

• Interval sessions: 1km repeats at 3:30-3:45/km pace to simulate race conditions.

• Strength work: Plyometrics and core stability exercises to prevent injury9.

Academic and Professional Development

Kinesiology and Athletic Training

King’s academic pursuit of Kinesiology aligns with her athletic goals. Coursework in biomechanics and exercise physiology likely informs her recovery strategies, such as:

• Nutrition: Optimizing carbohydrate intake during heavy training blocks.

• Recovery modalities: Cold-water immersion and dynamic stretching routines9.

Leadership and Team Dynamics

As an upperclassman, King mentors younger runners, emphasizing the mental resilience required in distance events. Her social media presence (@jaxstate_xctf) occasionally highlights team camps and altitude training trips, fostering camaraderie crucial for cross country success8.

Challenges and Adaptations

Transition from Soccer

Shifting from soccer’s intermittent sprints to running’s continuous demands posed initial challenges. King’s early races featured uneven pacing, as seen in her 2024 UAB Spring Invitational 5000m (18:13.74), where she faded in the final kilometer1. By 2025, her pacing strategies improved markedly, evidenced by negative splits in the school-record run8.

Navigating Conference Realignment

JSU’s 2023 move to CUSA exposed King to tougher competition. Races against programs like Middle Tennessee and Liberty forced her to elevate her training, culminating in her 2025 breakthroughs1.

Legacy and Future Trajectory

Program Impact

King’s school record in the 5000m has redefined expectations for JSU distance runners. Her success validates the coaching staff’s recruitment of multisport athletes, potentially influencing future roster decisions.

Post-Collegiate Prospects

At 23 years old (as of 2025), King’s potential extends beyond NCAA competition. With continued development, she could target:

• USATF Championships: Qualifying times of ~16:00 (5000m) and ~33:00 (10,000m).

• Marathon ventures: Leveraging her endurance base in longer road races.

Conclusion

Olivia King’s journey from Jacksonville High School soccer player to NCAA record-holder epitomizes the transformative power of collegiate athletics. Her story resonates with late-blooming athletes, proving that dedication and smart training can yield dramatic improvements. As she progresses through her senior season, King remains a athlete to watch in Conference USA and beyond, embodying the grit and grace of distance running.

For followers of collegiate track, her World Athletics profile and JSU’s social media channels offer ongoing updates, ensuring her strides continue to inspire the next generation of runners

Go Olivia!