VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota track and field athlete Luke Olson has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for his dedication in the classroom and on the track. Olson will receive a one-time $10,000 scholarship to be used for postgraduate study.
 
The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by awarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes. The NCAA awards 126 scholarships across all sports and divisions each year. Awardees must carry a minimum 3.2 grade-point average, be nominated by the faculty athletics representative and intend to pursue postgraduate studies.
 
"Being selected for the NCAA postgraduate award means a lot to me as it recognizes both academic excellence and athletic achievement," said Olson. "This scholarship highlights the balance between sports, school, and service; and will support my physical therapy school enrollment. I would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Jessica Messersmith for her help with the application process and multiple revisions of my personal essay, to coach Lucky Huber for his guidance throughout my track career at USD, to Dr. Hyung Suk Yang for his contributions during my undergraduate and professional pursuits, to my physical therapy professors for allowing me to compete at the highest level of collegiate sports while attending professional school, and to my family for their support throughout my schooling and track career."
 
"The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recognizes those rare student-athletes who excel in the field of play while also pursuing the highest caliber of academic and intellectual activities," said Jessica Messersmith, Ph.D., USD's faculty athletic representative. "Luke is one of those individuals. After completing his undergraduate degree at USD, he is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. Athletically, Luke has been an integral part of the USD track and field team throughout his undergraduate and graduate years. His dedication, discipline, and work ethic have set him apart as a standout athlete. Something that specifically sets Luke apart is his volunteerism. He has dedicated his time to serving underserved populations in our local and state communities. Whether participating in health clinics, mentoring young athletes, or helping with Special Olympics, he has had a significant impact on his local and state community. His compassion, empathy, and commitment to making a difference exemplify the values we hold dear at the University of South Dakota."
 
Olson joins 35 other Coyotes who have received this scholarship. South Dakota's track and field program accounts for 24 of the 36 NCAA Postgraduate Scholars in school history. This is the third-straight year that a member of the Coyotes' track and field program has received the scholarship.
 
"It has been great to see Luke develop throughout his time at USD and to see how he was able to handle this past year as a full-time physical therapy student while still competing for the Coyotes," said South Dakota director of track and field Lucky Huber. "Luke joins in the Coyote tradition with the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program that started with the late Jack Powell's 10 years as USD's faculty athletic representative."
 
Olson, a middle distance runner out of Ely, Minnesota, completed his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sport management in three years. He enrolled in USD's doctorate of physical therapy program this past fall, spending his senior season competing while enrolled full-time in PT school.
 
Olson has led the middle distance group throughout his Coyote career as a six-time all-Summit League honoree. His 800-meter personal best of 1:49.57 came at the 2023 Summit League Outdoor Championships, where he earned a spot on the podium and posted the second-fastest time in South Dakota program history. He was a member of back-to-back Summit League Championship squads for the Coyotes in 2023 and 2024.