Olmsted Aims to Qualify for Nationals

ABILENE, Texas - Johny Olmsted of the University of Dallas men's track and field team officially began his quest to qualify for the NCAA Nationals on Thursday.  He represented UD at the Abilene Christian Oliver Jackson Twilight meet, competing in both the 200m and 400m races.

Olmsted is coming fresh off a stellar performance at the SCAC Championship last week, where he broke his own program record and won the 400m race with a time of 48.43 to bring home the first championship for UD track and field since 2019.  

He carried that momentum over into the Oliver Jackson Twilight, defeating a slew of NCAA Division I athletes to take third place, having set another new UD record with a time of 48.39.

Olmsted was a standout freshman on the UD men's basketball team this season, and track and field head coach Nick Schneigert believes it's giving him an edge in the 400m.

"He is so close, and we think he has a real shot.  I think part of what has taken him so far this season, particularly in the 400m, is his high aerobic capacity that he clearly brought with him fresh off of basketball season.  He has a few more chances to qualify for Nationals, and we're going to do everything we can to get him there," said Schneigert.

Click here for the updated results from the Oliver Jackson Twilight, and follow along with Olmsted's progress and everything UD sports here at udallasathletics.com.