This is the first installment of "Where Are They Now" as we update the accomplishments of former California high school cross country and/or track and field athletes. Former Novato HS runner, Erik Olson (photo courtesy of Spencer Allen and www.sportsimagewire.com)-class of 2010, is now a senior at Stanford University. He will be participating in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship on March 14/15 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico. He is the 8th seed in the 3000m. and the 8th seed in the 5000m. His times of 7:50.81 and 13:42.52 now rank Olson as the fastest former Marin HS'er collegiate runner in history surpassing former Sir Francis Drake HS/California Berkeley runner, Richie Boulet.
Olson had quite a HS career at Novato HS which culminated with a superb senior XC and TF seasons. He was a two time MCAL XC champion as a junior and senior. He won the NCS Division III XC title as a senior with a then course record 14:49 for Division III runners. He followed that up with a state championship on the Woodward Park course running 15:01. Olson ran at the NXN meet in Portland where he finished in 21st place with a time of 15:38.80. Olson was just as good on the track recording a best of 9:41.86 as a frosh at the NCS Redwood Empire meet. As a sophomore at the NCS MOC meet, Olson improved his place and time from his freshman season by placing 6th in a time of 9:25.62.
As a junior, Olson won the NCS MOC meet in a still standing school record of 8:55.06. He finished in 7th place at the state meet running 8:56.56. Olson upped the ante as a senior doubling through most of the season in the 1600m. and 3200m. He finished in 3rd place in both the 3000m. and mile at the Stanford Invitational. He won both distance races in dominating fashion at the NCS MOC meet running 4:12.77 and 9:05. 07. At the state meet, Olson finished in 4th place in the now infamous 1600m. which was won by Elias Gedyon in a pedestrian 4:21.12. He doubled back to finish 5th in the 3200m. running 8:59.17.
Olson decided to stay in the Bay Area for college choosing to compete for Stanford University. While at Stanford, Olson has been a four time NCAA scorer for the Stanford Cardinal XC team. He won the 2011 US Junior XC title. He completed his best season to date as a senior this past fall. He was Stanford's 2nd man throughout most of the season including his 12th place finish at the Pac 12 Championship in Colorado. He earned All-West Region honors by placing 3rd overall. He was Stanford's #2 man at the NCAA meet placing 84th overall. Olson has followed that XC season with his superb times indoors and will look to continue to lower his personal bests outdoors.
Thank you to www.ranmarin.com for the lead on Olson's indoor marks.
This is the first installment of "Where Are They Now" as we update the accomplishments of former California high school cross country and/or track and field athletes. Former Novato HS runner, Erik Olson (photo courtesy of Spencer Allen and www.sportsimagewire.com)-class of 2010, is now a senior at Stanford University. He will be participating in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship on March 14/15 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico. He is the 8th seed in the 3000m. and the 8th seed in the 5000m. His times of 7:50.81 and 13:42.52 now rank Olson as the fastest former Marin HS'er collegiate runner in history surpassing former Sir Francis Drake HS/California Berkeley runner, Richie Boulet.
Olson had quite a HS career at Novato HS which culminated with a superb senior XC and TF seasons. He was a two time MCAL XC champion as a junior and senior. He won the NCS Division III XC title as a senior with a then course record 14:49 for Division III runners. He followed that up with a state championship on the Woodward Park course running 15:01. Olson ran at the NXN meet in Portland where he finished in 21st place with a time of 15:38.80. Olson was just as good on the track recording a best of 9:41.86 as a frosh at the NCS Redwood Empire meet. As a sophomore at the NCS MOC meet, Olson improved his place and time from his freshman season by placing 6th in a time of 9:25.62.
As a junior, Olson won the NCS MOC meet in a still standing school record of 8:55.06. He finished in 7th place at the state meet running 8:56.56. Olson upped the ante as a senior doubling through most of the season in the 1600m. and 3200m. He finished in 3rd place in both the 3000m. and mile at the Stanford Invitational. He won both distance races in dominating fashion at the NCS MOC meet running 4:12.77 and 9:05. 07. At the state meet, Olson finished in 4th place in the now infamous 1600m. which was won by Elias Gedyon in a pedestrian 4:21.12. He doubled back to finish 5th in the 3200m. running 8:59.17.
