The high-jumping career of Greenwood senior Olivia Weston keeps inching closer to the awards podium in the corner of Indiana University’s track stadium.
Whether or not it ends up there will be determined this spring.
A two-time state finalist, Weston missed being part of the medals ceremony at last year’s state meet by one inch. She topped out with a best jump of 5 feet, 3 inches to tie for 13th place after sharing 14th with another jumper as a sophomore.
Duplicating her school record of 5-4¼, set while winning last season’s Franklin Regional, would be a good place to start. Weston, however, is confident she can improve on that as her final weeks of high school track unfold.
Motivating factors aren’t exactly in short supply.
Should Weston clear 5-8 at some point this season, she’ll be invited to join the Brigham Young University women’s track program as a walk-on starting with the 2018-19 school year. If she can make 5-10, the Cougars are prepared to offer scholarship money.
Weston, who is Mormon, plans to attend BYU regardless and major in art.
“I’ve just grown up with it. A lot of my family members went there, and I’ve grown up rooting for that team,” said Weston, whose father, Rance, attended BYU (located in Provo, Utah) after his parents met while attending the school years earlier.
“It just means a lot to me, and I’ve always wanted to go there. It’s been a dream of mine.”
Weston gets her first opportunity to chase those lofty heights April 3, when the Woodmen open their outdoor season in a dual meet at New Palestine.
"I’ve been about the same for a while, and I’ve been working hard over the offseason to get my strength up so that I can jump higher," she said.
Weston became interested in high jumping as a sixth-grader. Coaches at her school were asking kids to try out for track and field, the team had a shortage of athletes in that event and Weston thought it looked fun.
"Obviously, she wants to get to the state meet again and get on the podium. Olivia has some personal goals in place, too, because her dream is to jump at BYU," Greenwood coach Blaine Williams said.
"She’s got a little way to go. Some room to improve to get there, but it’s early. She’s got time to get up in those bigger numbers."
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A look at Olivia Weston’s postseason finishes in the high jump:
<strong>Season;Sectional;Regional;State</strong>
2015;3rd;10th;—
2016;5th;2nd;14th
2017;3rd;1st;13th
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