Elliot Oliphant represents Shippensburg University’s mission to emphasize the development of the whole person. She is a PSAC-Scholar Athlete – maintaining an impressive GPA of 3.54 as a psychology major, a part of the volleyball and track and field team and she is in the running for Miss Teen USA. Oliphant proves that it is possible to continuously grow in all aspects of life and maintain a well-rounded lifestyle.
When asked how she maintains a strong GPA alongside her athletics, Oliphant emphasized the importance of balance and focus. “I truly believe it’s all about balance and staying focused on the task at hand,” she said. “As a dual-sport athlete, my time is limited, so when I have downtime, I’m usually self-motivated to get as much schoolwork done as possible. Although I’m a student-athlete, at the end of the day, my academics come first.”
Recently, Oliphant placed eighth in the high jump at the PSAC Outdoor Championships, clearing 5-1.25 (1.56 meters) and becoming one of three Raiders to score. She is equally as dedicated to volleyball as she is to high jumping. She admitted that pursuing both sports in college was challenging but ultimately rewarding. “I honestly couldn’t choose to drop one of my sports going into college and am so grateful that I have the opportunity to do both,” she explained. “Preparing for both is hard because there are different training regimens for each team, but I try to give my full attention to the sport that’s in-season at the time. It is beneficial that a lot of the workouts for track involve jump training, so that carries over into volleyball as well.”
Reflecting on her redshirt season in volleyball, Oliphant described it as a challenging period that helped contribute to her growth. “It took a lot of effort to show up everyday knowing that I’m not going to touch the court,” she said. “It was a big jump going into division II athletics, so having my older teammates as role models and mentors was a huge help. I made it my goal to be the best off-court teammate I can, whether that means leading the cheers or getting snacks and water for others. It definitely helped me learn patience and persistence, always reminding myself that this will pay off in the end.”
Oliphant’s experience in the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA pageant was also a period marked by growth. Two years ago, she won second runner-up in the pageant, and this year she shifted her mindset. “This year, I told myself, ‘This is your last year competing for this title. Just have fun, be confident, and no matter what the outcome is, walk away feeling good about yourself.’’’
For other students at Ship looking to excel academically, athletically, and beyond, Oliphant recommends creating a schedule. “This ensures that you can manage your various commitments. However, keep a flexible mindset in case the schedule needs adjusting. I also would 100% say to use your resources, whether it’s your teammates, professors or the Seaber RAC. Sometimes you need to be vulnerable and ask for help when you need it.”
Looking forward, Oliphant has a bright future at Ship. She aims to maintain the dean’s list, and continue to improve athletically and seek opportunities on campus that involve the community. “My time at Ship has provided a school large enough to have a variety of experiences, but small enough to have the opportunity to build relationships with my coaches, professors and fellow students,” she said.
As Oliphant prepares for the Miss Teen USA pageant and continues her dual-athletic career, she remains committed to achieving her goals. The Miss Teen USA pageant is set to air August 1st, on The CW.
