"I wanted to go to junior college to begin with," Olson said, "and I told them to keep in touch and we just kind of went from there."

Olson, who visited Campbellsville in January, said he visited Clarke University in Dubuque and was also considering Central College in Pella before making his decision.

"They have such a diverse school," Olson said of Campbellsville. "They attract people from around the world and they're a school that's growing.

"They're golf team is pretty good and they're coach has been contacting me a lot and is very nice. The school just stood out to me and their academic programs are very good, too."

As a freshman, Olson placed third at the Ellsworth Invitational (38-38 - 76), placed third at the AIB Invitational (76-75 - 151) and tied for fourth at the Iowa Lakes Invitational with a personal collegiate best round of 35-38 - 73.

NIACC coach Chris Frenz said one of Olson's strengths on the golf course is keeping an even keel throughout the round.

"He knew that out of high school - right away," the coach said. "That's one of the things I try to work on more than the actual swing. I try to teach them to stay level all the time.

"That's not saying he doesn't get upset now and then, but he handles himself very, very well and that's just something that's not easy to do and he learned that at an early age. He might bogey a hole but he knows he can birdie the next one and get right back into it. That's the mentality that you have to have."

Frenz, who is in his seventh season as NIACC's golf coach, said Campbellsville is getting a good one in Olson.

"Without a doubt," Frenz said. "He's one of the most dedicated guys I've had.

"He's working on his game all the time and it's all aspects of the game - not just one or two. He's always working on something and not just going through the motions. That's going to be something that's going to carry him very, very well down there."

Olson said he's glad that he made the decision before his sophomore spring season starts at NIACC.

"Now I can just go out and play," Olson said. "I don't have to worry about much."

Olson said he's looking forward to his final season at NIACC, which starts March 24-25 at the Kirkwood Invitational.

"We need to grow as a team, too," Olson said. "We have a couple of us that can show our leadership and bring that to the spring season."

NOTE - NIACC sophomore shortstop Reynaldo Sala, who is from the Dominic Republic, signed a national letter of intent in December to play baseball next season at Campbellsville.

2012 spring season

March 27 (Simpson College) - 42-37 - 79; April 5 (DMACC) - 39-36 - 75; April 10 (Ellsworth) - 38-38 - 76; April 13-14 (AIB) - 76-75 - 151; April 17 (Iowa Central) - 37-38 - 75; April 30 (Iowa Lakes) - 35-38 - 73; May 5-6 (Region XI meet at Fort Dodge) - 77-81 - 158.

Low 18-hole round: 73 at Iowa Lakes on April 30; Low 36-hole score: 151 at AIB on April 13-14.

18-hole average (9 rounds): 76.3.