RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines track & field program is excited to announce the addition of Emily Olson as its new assistant coach.

Emily has all the important attributes and experience we need in this program! She's been a successful DII heptathlete, coached in the RMAC, was an excellent student who values the academic process, and loves living in this region. Emily will also bring a great work ethic and passion for coaching to our student athletes. She'll be working primarily with our hurdles, jumps and multi-event athletes. This is an area we are strong in, and I'm confident we'll continue to grow under Emily's assistance!"

Olson spent the last two years as a graduate assistant at Black Hills State University. From 2021-2023 Olson oversaw coaching of the jumps/multis and hurdles for the Yellow Jackets. In addition to the coaching duties, Olson managed practices and schedules in addition to taking on a role in recruiting.

Prior to getting into coaching, Olson was a track & field athlete for Division II University of Sioux Falls from 2017-2021. Olson competed in the multi-events (heptathlon and decathlon), scoring in each event during the indoor and outdoor seasons in three out of four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.

In addition to Olson's athletic success, Olson was a four-year member of the dean's list at the University of Sioux Falls, earning honors upon graduation with a 3.5 GPA and obtaining a bachelor's degree in exercise science. Olson further pursued education while at Black Hills State, earning a Master of Science in strategic leadership with a 4.0 GPA.

I am beyond excited to join the Hardrockers staff at South Dakota Mines," said Olson. "I am looking forward to working with great people and everything that we will accomplish!"  

Olson began work on June 12 and will oversee jumps.

About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.