Olivia Hardesty Of Sheridan HS To Run Track And Field At US Air Force Academy

A Sheridan High School sprinter will continue to run while serving the country at the same time.

Olivia Hardesty has signed her notice of intent to join the track and field team at the US Air Force Academy, near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She is last year’s 4A Girls State Runner-Up in the 100 meter dash, and was nominated for the Academy by Wyoming US Senator John Barrasso earlier this year.

Hardesty says she was originally leaning towards a different sport, but then fate dealt its hand and it worked out for the better.

“I was a tried and true soccer girl, but then COVID hit and everything kind of changed, so I tried running and then I ended up at track and my first meet out, I ran really well, I was pretty quick and so from there I just kind of fell in love with it and the competitive nature and then also just the ability to push myself. Success is kind of dependent on how hard you work and I really like that aspect.”

Hardesty adds she is considering majoring in either legal or political studies.