Get to Know Q & A
- How did you get your start in track and field and/or cross country?
A Romanian talked to a Ukrainian. My gymnastics coach introduced me my current pole vault coach once I burnt out of gymnastics.
- Your parents' athletic background. Did they play any sports-where(HS, College, Pro), what position, when, any awards? Please include names.
My mother was a gymnast and my dad plays roller hockey. My mother was a vault specialist and won state championships and regional titles at her levels. My father was signed to a professional roller hockey league for one day before the league folded.
- Any siblings? Please include names and genders and any accomplishments in or out of sport.
Sutton Olesen (male) - goalie for the US National Youth Futsal Association. Varsity soccer / futsal. Math genius - aims for his work to be published in an undergraduate journal.
- Outside interests- your hobbies, talents(musical, chess, anything), volunteering- what do you do in your free time?
Pickleball, golf, cooking, spikeball, being with my dogs. I volunteer at Sportable, an organization that makes sports accessible to all.
- At school, do you do any extracurricular activities? i.e. student government, clubs or other sports.
St. Christocures (cancer research fundraiser). Trivia night. Rec basketball league.
- Pre- and post- race rituals. Any superstitions?
The night before a meet I eat a chicken dinner and make sure I get a good night's sleep. I usually wear the same outfit to meets because pole vault requires functional clothes (like loose sweatpants you can pull over your spikes). I limit my superstitions so that I can keep a clear mental state if they go wrong.
- Movie watcher and/or book reader? What is/are your favorite book and/or movie and why?
Book reader - Boys in the Boat. The book’s themes of perseverance and brotherhood have served as lessons throughout my childhood.
- How do you deal with setbacks and triumphs?
My coach and mother keep me humble. After every meet, win or loss, I just go back to my gym and keep working. We can always vault higher.
- Pet owner? If so, what is your pet's name and type/breed?
Wiley (dog) - rescue beagle mix. Frank (dog) - beagle mix.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself doing what I love - pole vaulting.
- What words would you have for your sixth grade self?
Get over it.
- Who is your favorite track and field athlete and why? How about other sports-who is your favorite athlete and why?
My coach Val Osipenko, who competed for the USSR. As a coach, he’s taught me more than just pole vaulting. He’s instilled confidence in me, taught me resilience, and been a role model for me in every way.
- Favorite hype song, if any, before your competition
I don’t listen to music before meets.
- Many athletes are quoted as saying " trust the process". What does that mean to you?
Listen to whatever my coach says. He’ll get me there in the end.
- How do you balance social media with your performance? Does social media impact you positively or negatively?
Social media doesn’t affect my performance.
- Favorite and not favorite high school subject and why?
I enjoyed math this year because of my teacher. Spanish is my least favorite class since I have to memorize lots of minute details.
- Favorite musical artist and why? What is your favorite song by that artist?
Piano Man - Billy Joel
- Favorite pre- and post- meal?
Before every meet I eat something simple like a sausage egg and cheese sandwich. Post meet I usually eat something local. For instance, we went to Track Town Pizza in Eugene after Nike Nationals.
- Dire question warning :) If you were unable to continue to compete in track and field, what would you do?
I’d coach. I love the pole vaulting community and the sport itself. I want to be a role model in the way my coach is to me.
- What do you see your legacy being-in and outside the track world?
I want to be a spectacular athlete known for their willingness to compete and their fun personality.
- What is your vice? What do you binge on that you can't seem to control?
Gatorade
- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Mondo Duplantis. I want to learn his secrets.
