Senior Aiden O’Leary has found his passion for sports through Sheridan High School athletics. Starting his freshman year, O’Leary has played football and ran outdoor track for the Broncs. Additionally, he joined the indoor track team his sophomore year and hasn’t looked back.
O’Leary started both offense and defense for the Broncs as a wide receiver and cornerback. A year ago, he also played a significant role on the Broncs championship defense. In this year’s state championship, he led the Broncs defense with seven solo tackles and a forced turnover. In recent years the football team has found great success, winning seven of the last nine state championships. Some people begin to ask if the winning ever gets old. “Winning doesn’t get boring; we do it a lot as a program, and our coaches are great at always making sure we are prepared,” said O’Leary.
As one of the 19 seniors who were a part of the Broncs football team, O’Leary is grateful for the time spent with his teammates. Some of his favorite memories of being a part of the team was getting to play the sport he loves while being next to some of his best friends. The countless hours players put in on and off the field teach them many valuable lessons. Along with the hours, the Broncs coaching staff aims to teach values beyond the sport. “Football has taught me to trust those next to you and always work hard” continuing on by saying “What you put in is what you get out,” said O’leary, a phrase used frequently in the program. The coaching staff sets up opportunities for the players to go out into the community and give back to show appreciation for the support they give them on friday nights and through donations. “No matter what happens at the end of the day, they care about us as men,” said O’Leary.
With winter sports seasons on their way, O’Leary will pivot to his main sport, track. He has excelled in the hurdle events and on various relay teams. As a sophomore, he competed on both the indoor and outdoor state champion Broncs track team, where he found his passion for the sport. He gives the credit to the great group of seniors that led the team to both indoor and outdoor team championships.
O’Leary believes that did a great job making sure that he and the team were getting better each day and working toward a higher goal. They also established a belief in him that he could go on to compete in track at the collegiate level. O’Leary remembers former teammate Nathan Fitzpatrick who currently runs for the Black Hills State University track team the most. “I’m looking forward to having a great teammate back on the track with me,” said Fitzpatrick. Going into his senior year, O’Leary wants to set his focus on his hurdling. “My goals this year are to improve my hurdle times and be able to compete with the best that the state has to offer,” said O’Leary.
Aside from his personal goals, O’Leary hopes to leave a positive impact on the program when he moves on. While working as hard as he can, he also hopes to help the team to a team title and be a role model for the younger kids. The Broncs have a number of returning significant role runners from last year and have hopes of returning to the top of the podium once again. O’Leary’s motivation comes from what is to come beyond high school.
O’Leary is currently committed to run at BHSU as a part of their hurdle crew. The opportunity excites him as it gives him a chance to pursue one of his passions that not many other athletes get to experience.
Head coach Taylor Kelting has been one of O’Leary’s biggest role models. He believes that Kelting is a great coach and wants what’s best for all his athletes. O’Leary appreciates that Ketling is willing to come in before school and work with kids and still come after school to run another practice.
O’Leary is taking a wide variety of classes at the high school: animal science, weight training, advanced placement environmental science, stats, technical reading and writing, and personal finance. He also is a teacher’s assistant in the English department. At BHSU, O’Leary will continue his track career, yet he is unsure on what he will major in. As of now he is interested in a major that is involved in the sports industry.
O’Leary has also had opportunities to run beyond Wyoming. He qualified for the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic in Albuquerque, N.M. and the Coast to Coast International track meet in Australia. In New Mexico, he was able to travel with fellow teammates as well as Kelting. As for Australia, it was a completely different setting with new competition, teammates, and coaches. “I was able to build lifelong friendships with people and compete with phenomenal athletes while being coached by phenomenal coaches,” said O’Leary
O’Leary is the son of Elizabeth Ramsey and Sean O’Leary.