University of South Dakota Athletics

The former Heather Nelson, Heather Olson from Yankton, South Dakota, is a two-time all-NCC performer who compiled 1,326 points, 496 rebounds, 159 steals, and 64 blocks. She averaged 14 points and led the Coyotes in steals as a senior, when the Coyotes finished with a 27-5 record, an NCC championship, and a trip to the Sweet 16. She led the team in rebounds as a freshman when she averaged 13 points a contest.
 
Heather twice scored 28 points in a single-game. One of those times came during a crucial road win at North Dakota as a senior when the team was in the midst of a 10-game win streak and on the cusp of winning an NCC championship.
 
Heather has earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and, this past December, a doctorate in administration all from USD. She taught math in Watertown, South Dakota, for two years upon completing her undergraduate studies before returning to Coyote women’s basketball as a graduate assistant for coach Chad Lavin. She taught at Yankton High School for seven years and is now an assistant principal at the middle school. Heather and her husband, Justin, have three kids, Burkley, Mathea, and Oxford.