Athlete Spotlight: Rylee Olson

DICKINSON – Before Dickinson senior gymnast Rylee Olson begins a meet, she’s already well prepared for what’s in front of her.

Like any successful athlete, the hard work is put in well before the competition.

“We are usually spending two and a half to three hours a day working on individual routines and our conditioning leading up to our competitions,’’ Olson said. 

A week includes three days of working to improve technique and sharpen skills in the various events followed by a mock meet the day before a competition. That dress rehearsal, so to speak, is much about mental preparation than anything else. 

“That last day is putting the pieces together for your competition and being mentally ready,’’ she said. 

Dickinson has built quite a dynasty in the sport. No school has won as many state team championships (17), including the past eight.  The Midgets have also earned several WDA championships and high individual place winners along the way. Olson is just one of many talented gymnasts on the roster and all are keenly aware of the rich tradition of the program.

“We have that reputation (of being a successful a program), but we are always working to improve, the all-state and all-WDA gymnast said. “A lot of us compete in club after the season as well. You have to put in a lot of time.”

And Dickinson coach Casey Berry says Rylee leads by example.

“She’s a super hard worker,’’ Berry said. “She’s definitely the leader…the mother of the team.”

Olson was five when she was introduced to gymnastics, taking part in club activities. “I still remember when she started,’’ Berry said. “You could just see this bundle of energy out there. You knew she had potential.”

Olson began on the Dickinson team in seventh grade and was an all-around state qualifier that season in the four events – vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor routine.

She’s steadily improved and has become a high finisher in those events. “She’s super consistent,’’ Berry said. “(Her routines) are not necessarily the hardest difficulty, but she is solid with her performances.”

Olson finished runner-up to teammate Elizabeth Karsky in all-around scoring at last year’s WDA Championships and won the floor exercise routine at the conference meet. She was third in all-around scoring at the state individual meet.

Her two favorite events are the balance beam and floor exercise. “I like them because of the artistic element of those,’’ she said. “You can have more expression and dance.”

She has strong shot at placing high in those events at the conference and state competitions, Berry says.

Sometimes a gymnast can make a routine look easy, but there is nothing easy about it.

“I think people don’t realize the amount of time they have to put in to get their bodies physical ready to perform the skills,’’ Berry said. “It’s demanding.”

Not to mention the mental side of the sport. 

 “Sometimes you have those mental blocks you have to work through,’’ Olson said. “Confidence is so important.”

There is a little over a month remaining in the season and an impressive high school career for Olson.

The memories of being with her teammates and the success they’ve enjoyed will last long after the final competition. 

“It’s hard to believe we’re getting close to the end,’’ she said. “It’s been an amazing time.”