The state’s returning Gatorade Player of the Year, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound junior pole vaulter won the national title in the pole vault at the USATF Under-20 Championships for a second straight year, and his leap of 18 feet broke his own state record and ranked No. 1 nationally among prep boys competitors this spring. Olesen is just the 14th prep vaulter in U.S. history to clear 18 feet. At the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association Division 1 state meet, he took first in the pole vault and third in the 110-meter high hurdles to lead the Saints to a second-place team finish.
Olesen has maintained an A average in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.
Olesen has volunteered locally with Sportable, an adaptive sports club for individuals with physical disabilities, and on behalf of Feedmore, which prepares and distributes food to people in need in Central Virginia. He has also donated his time with the Miracle League.
