By Hayden Swope

Olivia Mancino-Hinde was chosen as the American Family Insurance Athlete of the Month for October. Mancino-Hinde placed multiple times last year, including her fifth place run at the 5A Great Bend Regionals. 

“I feel honored to be chosen as an athlete for VYPE Magazine,” Mancino-Hinde said. “Cross country has been a huge part of my life for the past six years, and I appreciate my coaches, teammates, and parents that have helped me get here.”

While focusing on making it to state, Mancino-Hinde has also been setting goals to improve her times. 

“This season, my main goal is to go to state cross country in Lawrence,” Mancino-Hinde said. “My personal record is 20:20 from regionals last year, which earned me a place at state. I haven’t gotten a new personal record this year but I’m hoping to get closer to it.”

Mancino-Hinde spent the summer leading up to the season concentrating on her finishes and running consistently.

“To prepare for this year’s season, I ran a lot over the summer,” Mancino-Hinde said. “I went to summer cross country practices two times a week and ran three to four times a week on my own. One weakness I really wanted to improve was my race finishes.”

Mancino-Hinde plans to attend Fort Hays State University and major in business.