A constant threat on the national stage, Olinger is one of the top American athletes in distance events, specializing in the 3000m steeplechase, in which he owns a personal record time of 8:19.56. Olinger has competed on some of track and field's biggest stages, including the 2009 USATF Championships, where he made the finals in the steeplechase, the 2009 USA 7 Mile Challenge (ninth-place), and the 2008 Olympic Trials, where his seventh-place finish was just short of qualification for the U.S. Olympic team. In 2008, he set new PRs in the 1500m (3:42.11) the mile (4:00.19) and the 5000m (13:31).

Olinger arrived at Ohio State as a walk-on in 2002 after an impressive four years at Ridgewood High School. As a high school runner, Olinger was the OHSAA cross country champion in 2000, a two-time state champion in the 3200m and a two-time All-Ohio selection. He holds school records in the 800m, mile, two-mile and 5000m runs at Ridgewood. During his four years in Columbus, Olinger was a five-time All-American, competing in five NCAA championship races while winning the 2004 Big Ten title in the 5000m (14:09.80). He led the Buckeyes at the 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships, finishing 11th in 29:55 and was the 2005 NCAA Great Lakes regional champion in a time of 30:51. In June 2005, Olinger became just the second American collegiate athlete to break the 8:20 mark in the 3000m steeple at the KBC Night of Athletes in Heusden, Belgium. As a junior in 2005, he finished fourth in the steeplechase at the USA outdoor championships (8:28.44). He currently holds Ohio State records in the indoor 5000m and the outdoor 10000m.

"Brian is a great illustration of what you can accomplish when you get out with the team daily and put your best effort into getting better," head coach Robert Gary said of Olinger. "He is a great role model for out student-athletes because he overcame struggles in our program and became an outstanding runner -- I expect him to be a huge asset to our cross country and track teams because of this. Regardless of whether Brian continues to compete primarily in the steeple, or chooses to move up to the 10k, I have no doubt that he will be a major player with the 2012 Olympic team."

A resident of Columbus, Olinger graduated from The Ohio State University in 2006 with a degree in human ecology and early childhood development. His brother, Christopher, is a senior on the Buckeye track and field and cross country teams. Born June 2, 1983, he is the son of Terry and Pamela Olinger.