Richfield Spartans' Olson Ready to Play in All-Star Gridiron Game

After three seasons of playing on the line for the Richfield High School (RHS) football team, graduate will represent the Spartans on the gridiron one final time at the Minnesota All-Star game, to be played on June 25 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

"I was invited to play in the game in mid-May," Olson said. "I thought it was great, it came as a bit of a surprise."

The invite was richly deserved for the recent grad, son of Richfield head football coach Todd Olson, as he capped off his three-season career with the Spartans with an honor-laden senior year in which he earned an all-state honorable mention as well as third-team all-metro and all-conference accolades while playing on both the offensive and defensive lines.

"I was the team's long snapper too," Nick added.

Looking back fondly over his time as a Spartan in saying, "I thought I did all right," Olson is looking forward past the All-Star game to his collegiate days in which he will attend and play football for the University of South Dakota.

"I just loved everything about the school," he said. "The coaches and the atmosphere in general was energetic and I wanted to be a part of it."

Olson leaves for Vermillion, SD on August 11, 2011.

"It's coming up fast," he said.

Before that, however, Olson will get his crack at playing on college turf when he steps onto the home field of the University of Minnesota this Saturday.

Olson will wear No. 54 and play on the offensive line only for the South All-Stars, with kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

"I've seen it on television and have been there once," he said. "I'm looking forward to experiencing what it is like to play there."