Olivia Markezich (born 10 August 2000) is an American middle and long-distance runner. She was the 2023 NCAA Steeplechase champion.
High school career Markezich attended the Bear Creek School in Redmond, Washington. She was a 1A state champion in the 1600m as a junior and the 800m as a senior. She qualified for the Footlocker Nationals in her senior year, and placed 3rd in the 2000m steeplechase at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor.
College career In October 2018, Markezich signed her national letter of intent to run for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Initially she was on the team as a walk-on.
Markezich is the 2023 NCAA champion in the steeplechase, and a 10-time NCAA D1 All-American. She finished in the top three at seven NCAA championships. She was a dominant Atlantic Coast Conference performer, with five ACC championships, 14-time All-ACC performer and three-time ACC Women's Track Performer of the Year. She was also named to eight All-ACC academic teams.
On December 3, 2023, she ran the indoor 3000m in 8:40.42, breaking her own school record, and becoming the second fastest runner in NCAA history.
On February 17, 2024, Markezich ran the fastest 1600m split in the DMR in NCAA and USA history, with a 4:22.31. Notre Dame's DMR finishing time was 10:44.62.
In August 2023, Markezich was one of the first NCAA track athletes to sign an NIL deal. She signed with Swiss shoe company On.
Professional career In June 2024, Markezich signed a professional contract with Swiss shoe company On. She is based in Boulder, CO with the OAC Global team.
Markezich was in 2nd place with only 150 meters remaining in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2024 United States Olympic trials before a tough fall on the final barrier. She got up and finished 6th, with a personal best of 9:14.87.
Markezich made her Diamond League debut on July 7, 2024, in Paris, just 10 days after the US Olympic trials, where she finished 4th in a personal best of 9:14.67
Results and personal bests Information from World Athletics profile.
Championship results YearMeetVenueEventPlaceTime2019USA Junior Outdoor ChampionshipsAnsin Sports ComplexSteeplechase5th11:01.78NCAA Cross Country ChampionshipsLavern Gibson6k143rd21:352021NCAA Indoor ChampionshipsRandal Tyson Track Center3000m13th9:21.74NCAA Outdoor ChampionshipsHayward FieldSteeplechase10th9:48.73US Olympic trialsH1 14th10:00.45NCAA Cross Country ChampionshipsApalachee Regional Park6k11th19:38.02022NCAA Indoor ChampionshipsBirmingham CrossPlexDMR8th11:05.60NCAA Outdoor ChampionshipsHayward FieldSteeplechase9th9:35.80NCAA Cross Country ChampionshipsStillwater, OK6k8th19:46.42023NCAA Indoor ChampionshipsAlbuquerque Convention Center3000m2nd9:13.01DMR3rd10:59.46NCAA Outdoor ChampionshipsMike A. Myers StadiumSteeplechase1st9:25.03USA National ChampionshipsHayward FieldSteeplechase4th9:17.93NCAA Cross Country ChampionshipsCharlottesville, Virginia6k3rd19:102024NCAA Indoor ChampionshipsThe Track at New Balance3000m2nd8:46.71DMR2nd10:53.14NCAA Outdoor ChampionshipsHayward FieldSteeplechase2nd9:17.36USA Olympic trials6th9:14.872025USA Indoor ChampionshipsStaten Island3000m 7th8:52.49
Personal Bests SurfaceEventTimeVenueDateIndoor track1 mile4:27.76Notre Dame, INFeb 2, 20243000m8:37.37New York CityFeb 8, 20255000m15:14.42Boston, MAMarch 2, 2025Outdoor track1500m4:07.43Zagreb, CroatiaSeptember 8, 20241 mile4:24.07Boras, SwedenAugust 21, 20243000m8:42.95Rovereto, ItalySeptember 3, 20245000m15:23.14Wake Forest UniversityMay 11, 2024Steeplechase9:14.67Stade Sébastien CharlétyJuly 7, 2024
Personal life Markezich's father Ron also ran at Notre Dame, and was the school record holder in the 10,000m as part of the class of 1989. Markezich has three siblings, including a twin sister named Andrea who ran at the University of Washington before transferring to Notre Dame for her final year.
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