Signature School is known for its academics. It also has one of the state's best sprinters

EVANSVILLE — Signature School has been known for its academics since it opened its doors in 2002.

The public charter on Evansville's Main Street earned the top spot nationally for charter schools by U.S. News and World Report, the No. 2 spot nationally among all public high schools and the top ranking in Indiana among public high schools.

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But its athletics also take center stage. It uses the Downtown YMCA as its gym and the riverfront for track and field practices for its 58 participants spanning six sports. It's proud to have multiple track and cross country state qualifiers.

That includes Ava Olomajeye, a senior who is one of the IHSAA's best sprinters.

"I really just want to show that Sig does have sports," Olomajeye said. "It's really amazing that they put an emphasis in academics and athletics. Even though we don't have all the facilities that some of these other schools may have, I think that we showed that we both have work ethic inside and outside of the classroom. I'm really thankful that I'm able to get the opportunity to showcase my academics as well as my athletics."

Olomajeye is an Indiana University signee and was one of Sig School's two state qualifiers from last season — she placed fifth in the 400-meter dash. She was a sectional champion in the 400 last week at Mount Vernon, running the event in 57 seconds flat. It's the fastest area time and seventh-fastest state time of any Indiana girl this season.

"She is the first All-State runner that we've had at Signature, so that is a gift," coach Shane Thread said. "But she's also been a gift to coach. She's fun to be around, is an exceptionally nice person, has a great sense of humor."

Olomajeye has known track for as long as she can remember after her father David ran for the University of Cincinnati. But Olomajeye fell in love with the sport while attending Evansville Christian for middle school. It was at ECS where she realized she "could do this."

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She's learned plenty throughout her four years running for Sig School. She embraces the elevated competition whether at state or throughout the Evansville area, including Bosse grad and two-time state champion Alexia Smith.

"I've learned especially to have a really strong and positive mindset," Olomajeye said. "In my experience, the 400 is all about mindset. And if you say 'You can't, you can't, you can't,' then you won't. But if you really kind of keep your cadence and have that positive mindset all throughout the race, then you're going to end up PR-ing every time."

Olomajeye will major in political science while she keeps running at Indiana. She looks to keep inspiring the next generation of all Sig School athletes and sees the potential in them having enough athletes to field a strong track team.

Her mother Ayana recalls a story where an eighth grader visiting the school was on the fence about attending since he wanted to run track in high school and college. Olomajeye was pointed out as an example to look up to.

"If you look at her record on paper, she's really bright," Thread said. "You work with her in the classroom, which I have, she's really intelligent. I would love to see her back on the podium in the 400 in Bloomington after having signed with them."

Olomajeye has thought about making one more trip to state since she stood on the podium for the 400 last June. That will be determined on Tuesday night at the regional meet, and if gets the chance to close out her high school career at her future home in Bloomington, she wants to be atop the podium this time.

"We've been working on that this whole entire calendar year," Olomajeye said. "So I really think that it's going to be my year."