PSVI Athlete Series – Olivia Lundman

Nanaimo, BC – At only 16 years of age, PacificSport Vancouver Island athlete Olivia Lundman has already garnered provincial and national-level success in track and field, and with the 2019 season just weeks away she is poised and ready for another successful summer.

In what many could consider her breakout season in 2018, Lundman was named to the Zone 6 Regional team to compete at the 2018 BC Summer Games, as well the BC Provincial Team for the Legion Youth National Championships. It was a first for the Nanaimo-born high school student, and she did not disappoint, earning podium-finishes at both competitions.

Coming off such a successful season might be daunting to some, but Lundman has been both physically and mentally preparing for the 2019 campaign, and is eager to get started. “Heading into this season I have a few end goals that I’m training for,” she shared. “I would really like to qualify for the Legion Nationals again this year, but I’ve graduated to the Youth age group for this season, meaning I’m the younger of two age groups all competing for the same spots.”

Lundman’s primary track and field events are pole vault and racewalk – an unusual combination and one which can require very specific and contrasting types of training. This variety, however, is something that the young athlete thrives on. Since her early childhood she can recount having an interest in trying everything, and although she has found success in track and field most recently, her experiences as a multi-sport athlete have been extremely influential throughout her life.

“I think it is great to play a healthy range of sports,” Lundman explains. “Through the year there is soccer, field hockey, track, basketball, and it is nice to change between all of them and have those breaks. I really value how the sports I play are seasonal and it renews my passion for each sport as I move between them. There is always something new coming up next which keeps it interesting.”

Naturally, when she first joined the Nanaimo Track and Field Club as a Junior Development athlete Lundman loved the variety that the sport offered, and recounts competing in ten events over the course of single track meets. She was always eager to try the new events as she got older and more options became available in her age bracket.

“With pole vault and hammer, which are both very unique events, I just remember watching the older athletes and thinking that they looked so fun,” she shared. “I was so excited to try them when I turned 13, and just kept working hard with my coaches to get better at them. One of the great things about track and field is that they support young athletes and encourage them to try everything and not specialize too early. If I had specialized when I was ten or 11, I probably would never have tried any of the events I love so much now.”

Now as a provincial-level athlete, Lundman has specialized in terms of her track and field career, but still finds time to play other sports and enjoy that multi-sport atmosphere she grew up in. In addition to track and field, she plays competitive soccer, high school basketball, and even finds time to drop-in with the local adult field hockey league – all of which she balances with high school and her personal life.

As the 2019 season continues to approach, Lundman is hopeful and excited to build off the success of her 2018 campaign, but is also realistic and open to the fact that each season brings its own new challenges. “I would say to any young athlete out there, and as a reminder to myself, that if you have a bad meet, a bad season, or a bad year, just don’t give up on doing what you love. You’ll have times in your life where you won’t improve automatically, but if you love what you are doing and stick with it and work hard, the results will come.”

Olivia Lundman 2018 Highlights

National Champion – 1500m RW – 7:34.33

National Silver Medalist – Pole Vault – 3.00m

Provincial Champion – 1500m RW – 7:27.57

Provincial Champion – Pole Vault – 2.85m

Provincial Silver Medalist – Hammer – 38.89m

Gold Medalist – 1500m RW – 7:22:41

Silver Medalist – Pole Vault – 3.00m

Fourth Place – Hammer – 34.7m

Fourth Place – 4x400m Relay – 4:24.36