Olivia McKlem, a senior who runs for Millard West High School (Neb.), has announced her intention to attend Dordt University and compete for the Defenders cross country and track and field programs.
McKLEM NOTES:
- School: Millard West H.S.
- Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
- Parents: Steve and Lacey McKlem
- Intended Field of Study: Chemistry
- Events: 1600m, 3200m, 5000m (XC)
- Personal Best Times / Marks:
- 1600m - 5:27
- 3200m - 11:44
- 5K (cross country) - 19:25
- Honors / Highlights:
- Cross Country:
- state qualifier three years
- lettered four years
- earned Academic All-State honors
- ran for the 2024 state championship team
- ran for the 2023 state runner-up team
- placed 25th as an individual at the state meet in 2024, 26th in 2025
- finished 12th as an individual at the state meet in 2023
- Track and Field
- 3x state qualifier
- named to the All-Metro Academic team
- placed 16th in the 3200m in 2025
- Why Dordt:
- "I chose to attend Dordt University because of the great team culture, the outstanding facilities and the friendly community. Dordt has an incredible track and cross country program and I want to be part of it."
Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive Christian college rooted in the Reformed tradition. The Defender athletic program is a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA).
U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review all list Dordt on their best colleges lists. Dordt is home to approximately 1,500 students.
