I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast · SandyBoy Productions

Episode 669: Olivia Markezich: From Notre Dame Walk-On to Pro Steeplechaser With OAC

·56 min·4 clips

At the Olympic Trials, Olivia moved into second place, clipped the water barrier, and still finished for a PR.

1. I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein focuses on Olivia Markezich’s rise from Notre Dame walk-on to professional steeplechaser with OAC. 2. Lindsey Hein interviews Olivia Markezich, who runs for OAC in Boulder, is sponsored by ON, and won the 2023 NCAA steeplechase title. 3. The episode asks how Olivia went from a partial scholarship and college uncertainty to setting high goals in Diamond Leagues and USA Championships. 4. Olivia describes her USA Cross Country race in Oregon, where muddy hills, a side stitch, and an Achilles flare-up shaped her first 10K on the grass. 5. She says Dathan told her the 10K choice over the 2K was obvious, and she wanted to test a longer cross-country race. 6. Olivia explains that the course in Portland was much different from the Tampa World Cross Country course, which she said she would have enjoyed racing. 7. She says the Achilles issue pushed her to skip indoor racing and made steeplechase the main focus for the outdoor season. 8. Olivia says she plans to open her season at the end of March in a 1500 at the Sound Running 10 meet. 9. She also says she wants as many Diamond League starts as possible and hopes to race in the Diamond League Final. 10. Olivia recalls the 2024 Olympic Trials steeplechase, where she moved into second place before clipping the water barrier and finishing with a PR. 11. She says she made that move because she needed to take a risk and put herself in position to make the team. 12. Olivia says the U.S. women’s steeplechase is one of the most competitive events because so many variables can change a race. 13. She says the 2024 season began with mono in April, a stress reaction in May, and only two weeks running on the ground before her first steeple race in Oslo. 14. Olivia says she got fourth at her first Diamond League in Paris and later earned third in another Diamond League race after the rough start. 15. She says her first Diamond League came right after the Olympic Trials, and the experience felt lower pressure than college because she did not know the competitors as well. 16. Olivia says her biggest college breakthrough came at the NCAA title and then four weeks later at USAs, when she realized pro running could be possible. 17. The interview stays conversational and specific, with Lindsey Hein asking follow-up questions about injuries, event choices, family, and training structure. 18. Olivia answers in a reflective, matter-of-fact way, often connecting current goals back to races at Notre Dame and the Olympic Trials. 19. Listeners who follow steeplechase, NCAA running, or pro training groups would likely enjoy this. 20. Listeners wanting a broad sports talk episode without race details may skip it.

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