OXFORD, Ohio — Miami University’s Olivia Bechtel is a highly decorated track and field athlete, winning the Mid-American Conference Championship in the 400-meter dash and setting an indoor record of 53.07 in February. 

What You Need To Know

  • Miami University track athlete Olivia Bechtel is headed to compete at the US Olympic Trials

  • She is a Mid-American Conference record holder in the 400m

  • She’s excited for the chance to potentially represent Team USA

  • Bechtel said she plans to make the most of her opportunity

Now, after a strong week at the NCAA Championships she received an invitation to compete at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials — something she said is a dream come true. 

“Just knowing that I’m going to be able to be out there and competing against some of the girls that I’ve looked up to for my whole track life is just an unreal feeling,” Bechtel said. 

But this dream almost ended as a nightmare due to COVID-19 jeopardizing her senior season. 

“I had to make the decision to come back for a fifth year because my eligibility, it was extended due to COVID, because we lost our senior season,” she said. “And so that was kind of a tough decision, do I continue on my career path or do I come back and see where I can get in track. I would say it’s definitely been worth it. So it just makes it like the cherry on top to finish the season out here in Eugene."

But she pushed through adversity, and through the support of her family, friends, teammates and coaches, Bechtel now has the chance to compete against the country's best. 

“The U.S. is definitely the strongest right now, or one of the strongest countries in the 400-meter,” Bechtel said. “At this point, I’m going to set my goals as high as possible and see what I can go out there and do and just really enjoy the moment.” 

While she knows it could be the end of her decorated career, she’s just happy to have the chance to finish strong, living out her dream.

“Coming in from high school I never would have thought I would have this opportunity,” Bechtel said. “It was always something that I watched on TV and was like wow, those girls are incredible. So to be able to be the one out there to represent my hometown and Miami and everyone that’s behind me is so awesome.” 

Bechtel competes in the women’s 400-meter race at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday, June 18. More info can be found on the USATF website.