Olivia Markezich

Olivia Markezich
Markezich at the 2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (2000-08-10) August 10, 2000 (age 24)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportTrack and field
Event(s)Middle-, Long-distance running
College teamNotre Dame

Olivia Markezich (born 10 August 2000) is an American middle and long-distance runner. She was the 2023 NCAA Steeplechase champion.[1]

High school career

Markezich attended The Bear Creek School in Redmond, Washington. She was a 1A state champion in the 1600m as a junior and the 800m as a senior. She also qualified for Footlocker Nationals her senior year as well as placing 3rd in the 2000m steeplechase at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.[2]

College career

In October 2018 Markezich signed her national letter of intent to run for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[3] Initially she was on the team as a walk-on.[4]

Olivia is the 2023 NCAA champion in the Steeplechase and 10 time NCAA D1 All-American. Olivia finished in the top 3 at 7 NCAA Championships. Olivia was also a dominant Atlantic Coast Conference performer with 5 ACC Championships, 14 time All-ACC performer and 3 time ACC Women's Track Performer of the Year. Olivia was also named to eight All-ACC academic teams.[2]

On December 3, 2023, she ran the indoor 3000m in 8:40.42 breaking her own school record, and becoming the second fastest runner in NCAA history.[5][6]

On February 17, 2024 Olivia ran the fastest 1600M split in the DMR in NCAA and USA history with a 4:22.31. Notre Dame's DMR finishing time was 10:44.62.[7]

In August 2023, Markezich was one of the first NCAA Track athletes to sign an NIL deal. Olivia signed with Swiss shoe company On.[8]

Professional career

In June 2024, Markezich signed a professional contract with Swiss shoe company On. Olivia is based in Boulder, CO with the OAC Global team.[9]

Olivia was in 2nd place with only 150 Meters remaining in the 3000M Steeplechase at the 2024 United States Olympic trials (track and field) before a tough fall on the final barrier. Olivia got up and finished 6th with a personal best of 9:14.87.[10]

Oliva made her Diamond League debut on July 7, 2024 in Paris just 10 days after the US Olympic Trials.[11] where she finished 4th in a personal best of 9:14.67 [12]

Results and personal bests

Information from World Athletics profile.[1]

Championship Results

Year Meet Venue Event Place Time
2019 USA Junior Outdoor Championships Ansin Sports Complex Steeplechase 5th 11:01.78
NCAA Cross Country Championships Lavern Gibson 6k 143rd 21:35
2021 NCAA Indoor Championships Randal Tyson Track Center 3000m 13th 9:21.74
NCAA Outdoor Championships Hayward Field Steeplechase 10th 9:48.73
US Olympic Trials H1 14th 10:00.45
NCAA Cross Country Championships Apalachee Regional Park 6k 11th 19:38.0
2022 NCAA Indoor Championships Birmingham CrossPlex DMR 8th 11:05.60
NCAA Outdoor Championships Hayward Field Steeplechase 9th 9:35.80
NCAA Cross Country Championships Stillwater, OK 6k 8th 19:46.4
2023 NCAA Indoor Championships Albuquerque Convention Center 3000m 2nd 9:13.01
DMR 3rd 10:59.46
NCAA Outdoor Championships Mike A. Myers Stadium Steeplechase 1st 9:25.03
US National Championships Hayward Field Steeplechase 4th 9:17.93
NCAA Cross Country Championships Charlottesville, Virginia 6k 3rd 19:10
2024 NCAA Indoor Championships The Track at New Balance 3000m 2nd 8:46.71
DMR 2nd 10:53.14
NCAA Outdoor Championships Hayward Field Steeplechase 2nd 9:17.36
US Olympic Trials 6th 9:14.87

Personal Bests

Surface Event Time Venue Date
Indoor Track Mile 4:27.76 Notre Dame, IN Feb 2, 2024
3000m 8:40.42 Boston University Dec 3, 2023
Outdoor Track 1500m 4:07.43 Zagreb, Croatia September 8, 2024
1 mile 4:24.07 Boras, Sweden August 21, 2024
3000m 8:42.95 Rovereto, Italy September 3, 2024
5000m 15:23.14 Atlanta, GA May 11, 2024
Steeplechase 9:14.67 Stade Sébastien Charléty July 7, 2024

Personal life

Markezich's father Ron also ran at Notre Dame and was the school record holder in the 10,000m as part of the class of 1989.[4] Markezich has three siblings, including a twin sister named Andrea who ran at the University of Washington before transferring to Notre Dame for final year.[13][2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Olivia Markezich Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "OLIVIA MARKEZICH". Fighting Irish Athletics. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Pohlman, Chad. "Olivia and Andrea Markezich Sign National Letters of Intent". tbcs.org. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Brice, John (December 17, 2023). "From Walk-On to National Champion: Inside Olivia Markezich's Irish Journey". FightinIrish.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Olivia Markezich Dominates 3000m Run in Boston". FightingIrish.com. December 3, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "Notre Dame's Olivia Markezich On Her Breakout 2023". Citius Mag. December 12, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  7. ^ "ACC Announces Final Indoor Track & Field Weekly Awards". February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Chavez, Chris (August 3, 2023). "NCAA Steeplechase Champion Olivia Markezich Signs NIL Deal With On". Citius Mag. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  9. ^ > "From NCAA to On Athletics Club". On Pressroom. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Woods, David (June 28, 2024). "Notre Dame's Olivia Markezich falls in steeplechase: 'It was right there... I'll be back.'". IndyStar. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Hof-Mahoney, Paul (July 5, 2024). "2024 Paris Diamond League Preview: Top Events and What to Watch For". Citius Mag. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "2024 Paris Diamond League Preview: Top Events and What to Watch For" (PDF). Wanda Diamond League. July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Crow, Matthew (August 31, 2023). "Irish cross country looks to turn experience into success". The Observer. Retrieved January 2, 2023.