Today, RRHS senior Yara Olsen signed a national letter of intent to swim for Utah Tech University, a Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school in St. George, UT. During a signing ceremony at Ronald Reagan High School, Olsen announced the commitment alongside her parents, Justin and Christina Olsen, her siblings, and the RRHS Swim and Dive Coach, Michael Rourke (not pictured).
Olsen is a 4-year varsity letterman in women’s swimming, multi-time district champion, region champion, two-time state qualifier and a National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) all-American athlete. In her spare-time, Olsen lends her expertise to teach younger children to swim. Equally talented scholastically, she is an academic all-state and academic all-district swimming and water polo recipient.
Though RRHS swim and dive is a highly competitive, two-time district championship team, region championship team and one of the top 10 6A women’s swim teams in the state, Olsen, a demonstrated leader and powerhouse, was named team captain for the 2023-2024 swim season.
“Yara is a talented swimmer and leader,” Rourke said. “Her consistency and drive have been a real asset to the team over the last four years.”
As a junior at the 2022 Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (TISCA) meet, Olsen set the Reagan school record for the 200 Breaststroke and her relay team set the 200-medley school record. Competing at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) women’s 6A state swim meet as a sophomore and a junior, Olsen earned state finalist both years.
Olsen said she is very excited to continue her swim career in southern Utah, less than an hour from Zion National Park. Regarding welcoming Olsen to the Utah Tech swim team, Head Coach Shawn King said, “We are excited to have Yara as part of our team. She has a radiant personality that uplifts everyone.” King expressed how much his coaching staff has enjoyed getting to know Olsen and believes she will be a great fit for the Utah Tech swim program.
“We are building a program devoted to team unity, personal commitment and pursuing excellence with high achievement,” King said. “Yara has demonstrated she shares our team values, and we know that our program will be better with her as a Trailblazer!”
Congratulations to Yara as she pursues her academic and swim goals with the Utah Tech Trailblazers!
Stay tuned this fall to watch Yara and the Trailblazers in action on Instagram @yara.olsen and @utahtech_swim. To learn more about the RRHS Swim and Dive program, visit https://rattlersports.com/sports/swimmingdiving/.
Strike ‘em Rattlers! Blaze Up!