On April 26 the Student Leadership Council and The Office of Student Life and Leadership presented the Student Leadership Awards to outstanding PVCC students at the Annual Student Recognition Celebration. This year, Puma Athletics had the honor of recognizing sophomore Gilbert Olivas of the Puma Cross Country and Track & Field teams.
The Golden Puma Distinguished Student Leadership Award, the highest bestowed upon PVCC students annually, recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as leadership, athletics, community service, fine and performing arts, entrepreneurship and career achievement.
Gilbert Olivas is a 2021 graduate of Cactus High School. He came to PVCC in the Fall 2021 to join the Puma Cross Country and Track & Field programs.
During his Freshman year, Olivas' accomplishments included:
Fall 2021
- Cross Country
- Region 1, Division II Champions
- 1st Team All-Region (5th place)
Spring 2022
- Indoor Track & Field
- NJCAA Nationals 3rd place - Mile
- NJCAA Nationals 6th place - 3,000m
- USTFCCCA All-American
- Outdoor Track & Field
- Region 1 Champion - 1,500m
- Region 1 Campion - 4 x 800 Relay
- NJCAA Nationals 2nd place - 4 x 800 Relay
- NJCAA Nationals 8th place - 1,500m
- NJCAA All-American
- USTFCCCA All-American
- Academics
- PVCC Puma Paw Student Leader Award, Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year
- NJCAA All-Academic - 2nd Team
- PVCC Puma Scholar-Athlete (3.25 GPA min)
To date, Olivas' sophomore year has been even more successful. The major highlight so far has been the NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Championship.
Other highlights include:
Fall 2022
- Cross Country
- Region 1, Division II Champions
- 1st Team All-Region
- NJCAA Division II Cross Country National Champions
- NJCAA All-American (4th place)
- USTFCCCA All-American (and Athlete of the Week)
Spring 2023
- Indoor Track & Field
- NJCAA Nationals 2nd place - Mile
- NJCAA All-American
- USTFCCCA All- American (and Athlete of the Week)
- Outdoor Track & Field
- Qualified for NJCAA Nationals in:
- Steeple Chase
- 5,000m
- 1,500m (Ranked #1 in NJCAA)
- 800m
- Qualified for NJCAA Nationals in:
Olivas is continuing his academic success this year. He is currently on track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete again as well as an NJCAA All-Academic Nominee.
Majoring in Film, Olivas will be graduating from PVCC at the end of this spring semester with his Associates in Arts. He is planning on transferring to a four-year institution next year to continue running and to pursue his bachelor's degree.
