When Olivia Viers entered the 2023 Virginia state track and field meet, she was an underdog. Ranked 14th in the long jump, the Pulaski County High School senior was expected to be a footnote in the final standings.
Instead, she soared. Viers leaped into fourth place, securing All-State honors and signaling the arrival of a competitor who thrives when the stakes are highest. 
Now a junior at Roanoke College, Viers has transitioned from a local standout in Dublin to a regional powerhouse in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Her rise from the "Golden Cougar" ranks to the Maroons' roster is defined by a consistent ability to clear hurdles—both literal and metaphorical.
At Pulaski County, Viers was a versatile weapon. She capped her high school career as the 2023 indoor regional champion in the 55-meter hurdles and earned All-Region honors in five different events. Her athleticism wasn't limited to the track; she was also a key member of the school’s championship competition cheer squad. 
The transition to the collegiate level often stalls young athletes, but Viers accelerated. Since arriving at Roanoke College, she has evolved into one of the most reliable scorers for program. As a sophomore, she earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, specializing in the 60-meter and 100-meter hurdles.
Her progress is etched in the record books. Last spring, she clocked a career-best 14.93 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles at the ODAC Outdoor Championships, earning a third-place podium finish and All-ODAC honors. On the field side, she has pushed her long jump personal best to 5.39 meters (17’ 8.25”), nearly half a foot further than her state-medal leap in high school. 
The 2025-26 indoor season suggests Viers hasn't hit her ceiling yet. In January, she took second place in the 60-meter hurdles at the Finn Pincus Invitational, posting a sharp 9.17 seconds.
Off the track, the Radford native has maintained the same discipline that earned her an advanced diploma and multiple academic scholarships at Pulaski County. Now a business major, Viers has balanced the rigors of a Year-Round NCAA Division III schedule with academic success.
As she moves into the heart of her junior season, Viers is no longer the 14th-ranked underdog from Dublin. She is a veteran leader for the Maroons, proving that for those with enough drive, the jump from high school to college is just another hurdle to be cleared.