Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye / John Gaines Photography
To say that Eli Oleson loves baseball would be a gross understatement.
The recently graduate of Notre Dame High School is obsessed with the game. He eats, sleeps and breathes baseball.
When Oleson isn’t at baseball practice or playing a game with the Nikes, more often than not he can be found at the batting cage working to perfect his swing.
Oleson just can’t get enough baseball.
The results have been astounding.
In Tuesday’s 21-2, five-inning rout of Fort Madison, Oleson went 5-for-5 with a double and a grand slam, scored three runs and drove in five.
In Monday’s 17-3 shellacking of Louisa-Muscatine, the Nikes’ left fielder was 1-for-2, scored two runs and drove in one.
“The kid is one fire,” Notre Dame coach Chris Chiprez said. “The kid deserves it. He is one of the hardest workers that I have ever seen in this game. He does a great job. I’m really happy for him and I’m proud of him.”
For the season, Oleson is hitting .625 with a .691 on-base percentage and a .972 slugging percentage. He is second in the state in batting average, ninth in on-base percentage and 11th in slugging percentage.
He is 45-for-72 with 28 singles, 12 doubles, two triples and three home runs. He has scored 37 runs and driven in 30. He also has 26 stolen bases in 32 attempts and has been stellar in the field.
Chiprez points to one of many examples of how Oleson’s dedication and hard work are paying big dividends for Oleson and the Nikes.
“Coach (Micah) Oleson was telling me that, after track meets, (Eli) would get home at 10:30 at night and he would drive out to the field and hit off the batting tee with the lights off,” Chiprez said. “That’s the kind of dedication that a lot of our guys have. I think that’s a big reason Eli is having the year that he’s having.”
Notre Dame (18-7) hosts Danville (1-16) in a Class 1A district quarterfinal game at 7 p.m. Friday at Winegard Field.
The Hawk Eye recently caught up with Oleson, the High School Athlete of the Week, to learn a little more about him.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Track and field.
Something I learned from a coach that I will never forget is ...
Coach (Chris) Chiprez taught me the importance of work ethic.
My favorite moment in baseball was ...
Going to state my freshman year.
My most embarrassing moment in baseball was ...
Slipping on first base after hitting my first home run.
A role model that has had the most influence on me is ...
My older brother, Brady.
Something on my bucket list is ...
Catching a shark.
My favorite meal is ...
A spicy Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.
If I won the lottery, my first purchase would be ...
A Tesla cyber truck.
My biggest pet peeve is…
Wet socks.
In my free time I enjoy ...
Disc golfing.
My favorite motivational slogan or quote is ...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Which teacher has had the biggest influence on you and why?
Mrs. Baxter because she helped me grow my faith.
What is special about your high school?
We get to learn about the Catholic faith.
In 25 years, I will be…
A strength and conditioning coach at a Division I college.
Something about myself that would surprise people is ...
My least favorite food is pork chops.