Nashville, Tenn. — Riley Felts, a standout pole vaulter and former athlete at Charlotte Track and Field, received a prestigious recognition at the NCAA Convention held in Nashville on January 14, 2025. Felts was honored as one of the recipients of the NCAA Today’s Top 10 award, a title celebrating the achievements of student-athletes who have excelled both in sports and academics.
Felts expressed her gratitude about the award saying, “Winning this award is such a special way to end my collegiate career and I’m very grateful to everyone who supported me as well as the selection committee for nominating me for this honor.” She further added that this achievement inspires her to continue making a difference in her life and in the lives of others.
As the first recipient of the award from Charlotte since it started in 1973, Felts leaves behind a remarkable legacy. During her five years with the program, she earned numerous accolades, including first-team All-American honors in both indoor and outdoor pole vault during her senior year. She also became the American conference champion and secured the NCAA runner-up position, setting new school records along the way with heights of 4.50m (14’9″) indoors and 4.55m (14’11”) outdoors.
Bob Olesen, the Head Coach for Charlotte Track and Field, praised Felts, stating, “Riley has been the consummate student-athlete… her many amazing accomplishments speak for themselves.” Olesen highlighted the joy he found in mentoring her throughout her journey.
Felts didn’t just dominate on the field; she excelled academically too. She maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning her undergraduate degree in civil engineering, followed by a 3.9 GPA for her master’s degree, while also completing minors in mathematics and environmental sciences. Her efforts earned her a total of 10 academic honors throughout her collegiate career.
“Being a well-rounded athlete is important because it helps you grow as a person in multiple aspects of your life,” Felts noted, emphasizing how this balance enriches both athletic performance and life skills.
Although she has graduated, Felts remains connected to the Charlotte program, continuing her training with Coach Olesen while working as a civil engineer in Nashville. She is also giving back to the program by serving as a volunteer coach.
