Mia from Ohio State

October “Where are they now?” Spotlight: Meet Mia

October 30, 2024

Meet Mia Rankin, a senior at Ohio State University and a former recipient of the Arizona Leadership Foundation scholarship. Mia attended Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ. She graduated in 2021 as a member of the National Honor Society and the captain of the state championship Varsity Swim Team.

When Mia was looking at high schools, she initially went to look at Xavier because her mom, Maureen, was the swimming coach. Mia soon decided that Xavier’s Catholic education made it a good fit for Mia academically and with her passion for competitive swimming. Unfortunately, the family lost Maureen to bladder cancer two months into Mia’s freshman year. Mia’s dad became the swim coach for the remainder of her high school career. Mia has a younger brother who was in 6th grade at the time; he just graduated from Camelback High School last spring.

Xavier was instrumental in Mia’s application for the Arizona Leadership Foundation’s scholarship, and she is very thankful for the opportunity to attend Xavier as it set her up for attending Ohio State University.  Mia is a Philosophy Major at Ohio State and looking at a variety of career fields as she prepares for graduation in the spring of 2025.

Some of Mia’s career honors in swimming include OSU Scholar Athlete (2022, 2023, 2024), CSCAA Scholar All-America Second Team (2023, 2024), Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2023, 2024) and Academic All-Big Ten (2023, 2024). She was an honor student while at Xavier and captain of the varsity swim team. They won the state title when she was a senior.

In her own words here is a little bit about Mia’s educational journey:

Starting with being able to attend Xavier, where I was met with so much support from everyone surrounding me, I feel as though my academic life skyrocketed. With this, so did my athletic and social life. I feel lucky to have been provided with so many opportunities and support that started from the Arizona Leadership Foundation’s scholarship. I have the most fun when I am training, competing, or spending time with my teammates on the swim team. It is my favorite and the most fun at Xavier. I am so happy to have met such amazing young women during my time at Xavier and gotten to be a part of something with them.

Additionally, I was recruited by Ohio State University for my swimming success. Amongst all the other schools I was looking at, I felt most welcomed by Ohio State. They also have the best of the best to offer regarding academics, athletics, and the university location and reputation were very desirable. Having such a large, well run, and well-funded athletics institution, there are so many resources for student-athletes in terms of support during college and career development afterwards. I have built some of the greatest relationships that I expect will last a lifetime since coming to Ohio State. I have learned so much, not just academically, but about myself and others. From swimming at a top Division 1 University, I have developed skills in time management, cooperation, leadership, perseverance through hardship (physical, mental, emotional), and the background of running an elite organization.

About Xavier College Prep:

Faith-based. Academics. Athletics. Activities. The Arts. Girls only. Along with nationally recognized programs, Xavier fosters a commitment to service and excellence in character in young women. Educating the whole person — intellectually, spiritually, physically — is our goal. That’s why students come here.

Traditions weave together Xavier students, faculty, and families into a single community. They bind us for decades-long after our tenure on campus. Our enduring friendships and lasting memories are Xavier traditions of the highest honor. “Xavier, we’ll remember you.” These words from our alma mater ring true.

To find out more about Xavier visit xcp.org