Determination. Grit. Self-belief. These three things are what Karl Olivo of the Men's Cross-Country team says to be most important in a runner. After an outstanding 2024-25 rookie season, Olivo was named to the OCAA Men's All-Ontario Second Team and competed at his first National Championships.

"It was an awesome experience getting to compete at Nationals this year!" he says. "Getting the chance to compete against the best collegiate cross-country runners from all across Canada was such a thrill and to finish 12' out of almost 100 runners was pretty surreal."

Having previously studied at the University of Waterloo for a degree in kinesiology, Olivo is now a first-year in Sheridan's Osteopathy program, pursuing his interests in human health and his desire to help people. "My time working at a physiotherapy clinic gave me a taste of what it's like to guide someone through a tough time in their recovery... My favourite part of the program is the labs where we're given a chance to test out different concepts that we're taught in a hands-on setting."

Prior to Sheridan, Olivo had only competed in one season of cross-country during Grade 11 with soccer as his main sport growing up. He played for the Cambridge United travel team and was awarded the 2017 Coach's Award. He also trained in badminton throughout high school and university. However, the memories Olivo made during that one cross-country season was more than enough to get him to reconsider. He ran at the 2024 Toronto Half Marathon and rediscovered the joy of running, competing, and being part of a community.

"T've been running since I was a kid," he says, "and soccer involves a lot of running so it just feels like a natural thing for me to do... After feeling like I missed out on playing a varsity sport during my time at the University of Waterloo, I knew I wanted to run cross country here at Sheridan."

Olivo continues to play both soccer and badminton, however, he states that running is now his main focus. His time in Double-Blue has more than exceeded all expectations for the athlete.

With the goal of finishing at least one race under thirty minutes, Olivo crossed the finish line at the St. Clair Invitational with a run time of 28:12.9, his first race of the season. "There's a point where my body starts to feel like shutting down... [and] I have to convince myself it's only a little further to go (when in reality I usually have a couple more kilometres to run) and the only thing you can do in that moment is decide if you want to stop and give up, or keep pushing forward because you know you're capable of crossing the finish line." Not only did Olivo accomplish his goal, but he also went on to recording a personal best of 25:41.00 at the 2024 CCAA Cross-Country Championships.

"Karl was able to have an outstanding rookie season for us this year," says Kenya Small, Head Coach for the Men's and Women's teams. "Coming off a hiatus from running to be able to be an OCAA Second team All-Star, 12th individual at CCAA's and leading the men's team to its best CCAA finish since 2018."

As Olivo continues to train in cross-country, he sets his sights on working as an osteopathic practitioner either in Ontario or out-of-province after graduation. Although his current plan is to return to healthcare, Olivo holds the door open for himself to whatever trail is waiting for him.

"I'm the type of person who likes to take things [one] step at a time because you never know what life might have in store for you."