Vermont women's basketball's Anna Olson eyes medical field after NCAA Tournament
Anna Olson's days wearing green and gold are nearly over. The graduate student's standout five-year career will come to an end following Vermont women's basketball's last game in March Madness.
The Catamounts' 2024-25 season could close as soon as Saturday afternoon when 15-seeded Vermont faces No. 2 NC State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off time is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN.
Even though Olson's college basketball career has an approaching end date, she already knows what her next challenge will be: Medical school. Olson will follow her father and older brothers' footsteps into the medical field.
"Well my dad was actually an OBGYN so I think was like my initial spark since I saw him interact with all his patients in the community," Olson said.
Last summer, Olson took the MCAT, a standardized and comprehensive exam for prospective medical students. She plans to start medical school in the fall of 2026, with interests in becoming an OBGYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) or a primary care physician.
"Building relationships with people is something I definitely want to do," said Olson, a Minnesota native from Monticello, which has a population just shy of 15,000 people. "I grew up in a pretty rural community where my dad was one of the only OBGYNs so I'm definitely inspired to go back to a rural type community and be that doctor for a community."
Head coach Alisa Kresge and the entire coaching staff has helped set Olson up for success on the court and in her academics as well.
"When I was taking the MCAT they were dropping groceries off at my house a week before the test to give me food," Olson said. "They just were so supportive. ... I just knew that for my next life they were going to set me up extremely well."
The graduate student has found a way to excel in both basketball and academics while getting experience in the medical field. Olson just won the America East's Elite 18 Award, given to the player with the highest GPA playing in the championship game. Olson boasts a 3.89 GPA while studying public health this year and guiding the Catamounts to their second America East Conference tournament championship in three seasons.
Two years ago, Olson worked in UVM Medical Center's emergency room as a scribe taking notes for doctors. That job required Olson to work overnight shifts at times, but she still showed up for morning practices the next day. Ultimately the forward had to give up her job as a scribe after a few months to focus more on basketball, yet her experience working in the emergency room confirmed Olson's desire to become a doctor.
"I saw the knowledge the doctors had was ... inspiring and saw the passion they had," Olson said. "That balance was extremely inspiring to me."
On the court, Olson has established herself as one of the program's best and most durable players. The program's all-time leader in games played (139), Olson has tallied 1,680 career points, which places her ninth all-time among Catamounts. Olson's career field-goal percentage (.545) is third-best in school history, and she's fifth in total rebounds (847).
This winter, Olson leads Vermont in scoring (12.8 points a game), the only Catamount averaging in double figures. She's also a two-time first-team selection in America East and was the conference's rookie of the year in 2021.
Besides her on-the-court production, Olson has blossomed into a leader for the Catamounts.
"She always led by example and players always respected her, but she's found a way to be that vocal leader and rally the group," Kresge said. "She's very intentional with her words and how she uses them and when she uses them."
Olson is not the only recent Catamount to pursue a career in medicine. Former Catamount Delaney Richason is currently studying to be a physician assistant at Indiana University and is already providing advice to Olson.
"She's already telling me about how she's transformed her life from basketball over to PA school," Olson said. "She's a huge mentor to me."
As of right now, Olson is focused on Vermont's game against NC State, which could be her final collegiate contest before her focus shifts completely to her career ambitions.
"I'm really happy to go out on this note and go play NC State," Olson said.
Contact Judith Altneu at jaltneu@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM women's basketball star plans for medical school after career ends
-
UVM women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Cats could land in NCAA bracket
Where Vermont women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Vermont women's basketball will face NC State to open March Madness: Bracket update
It's UVM women's basketball vs. NC State in March Madness to open the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in RaleighYahoo Sports - 3d -
Previewing Michigan women's basketball in NCAA Tournament
The Michigan women's basketball team has secured a No. 6 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. After posting a 20-9 record in the regular season and an 11-7 record in the Big Ten, the Wolverines, led ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Marquette women’s basketball to face Drake in WBIT after missing out on NCAA tournament
Marquette women’s basketball team to play Drake in Des Moines in WBIT bracket after missing NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard named finalist for Lute Olson Award
Mar. 13—Two days after winning his first West Coast Conference Tournament, Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard was one of 30 players named a finalist for the Lute Olson Award, presented to the top player in ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Lady Vols' NCAA Tournament basketball history
A look at Tennessee's women's basketball history in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
UCLA and South Carolina headline AP Top 25 women's poll and are top seeds in NCAA Tournament
UCLA remained No. 1 in The Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on Monday one day after the Bruins earned the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Breaking down the UConn women’s basketball team’s bracket, Final Four path in 2025 NCAA Tournament
STORRS — After cruising to a fifth consecutive Big East Tournament title, UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma would rather have turned around right away to start playing the NCAA ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
UNC women’s basketball to face Oregon State to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
UNC women's basketball has made its fifth straight NCAA Tournament field. See who the Tar Heels face, predictions, updates and more.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
No. 1 overall seed Auburn puts away Alabama State 83-63 to open March Madness
Yahoo Sports - 29m -
No. 1 overall seed Auburn puts away Alabama State 83-63 to open March Madness
Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
Norfolk State Spartans vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 29m -
Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
Norfolk State Spartans vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 29m -
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst attends Alabama Pro Day
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and a few other front office personnel were in Alabama for the Crimson Tide's pro day.Yahoo Sports - 33m
More in Sports
-
No. 1 overall seed Auburn puts away Alabama State 83-63 to open March Madness
Yahoo Sports - 29m -
No. 1 overall seed Auburn puts away Alabama State 83-63 to open March Madness
Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
Norfolk State Spartans vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 29m -
Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
Norfolk State Spartans vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 29m -
Celtics sold for record $6.1 billion, sources say
Bill Chisholm has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics from the Grousbeck family for a valuation for $6.1 billion, sources told ESPN.ESPN - 31m