Ryan Olkowski and Rodney Dangerfield are in the same predicament — they get no respect.

Olkowski, a senior on one of the most dominant men's track squads in Penn State's recent history, is an All-American in not just one, but two events.

Still, his face does not grace any magazine covers and his notoriety on campus is similar to your average student. But Olkowski realizes that track and field is not the most exciting sport for fans to watch and follow.

"I don't compete for the headlines," Olkowski said, "I realize it's all a representation of Penn State."

What makes Olkowski's story special is that he's not seven feet tall and 200 pounds, and he was not recruited by every school in the country. In fact, he had to walk on to the squad his freshman year.

Olkowski went to a private all-boys school in Baltimore, so he never got the opportunity to be seen in large state events by college coaches. Even if he did, he could not be sure if they liked what they saw.

"I was 6-foot-2, 140 pounds my senior year, tall and thin," Olkowski said.

Men's track coach Harry Groves agreed with Olkowski's sentiments.

"He looks more like a giraffe than a sprinter," he said.

Olkowski came to Penn State strictly as a high jumper.

It was not until late in his freshman year, after he gained thirty pounds, that he began to make waves.

"I noticed I was getting better," Olkowski said.

Olkowski then went to his coaches and asked if he could compete in the long jump. After Groves and Company laughed, they agreed and Olkowski now holds a spot as a long jumper on the team.

Next, Olkowski asked Groves if he could sprint.

After louder laughs, they gave in and now Olkowski holds the Penn State record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 20.98 seconds.

So naturally, going into his senior year, Olkowski was on the top of the track and field world.

That is, until tragedy struck.

In August, Olkowski's mother died.

"Initially, I though about not competing," Olkowski said.

But after talking with his father and brother, Olkowski realized that his mother would not have wanted him to stop doing what he loved.

"It was the best thing to do," he said. "She would have wanted it that way. She was the only one who came to the track meets...She absolutely loved it. I owed it to her."

So Olkowski began this season working harder than ever. He worked out with the team three days a week, and the other two days he focused on the 200-meter dash. Olkowski was excited about this year's team going into the indoor season.

"This is definitely the best team I've ever been on," Olkowski said. "The talent level is all there.

"My ultimate goal was to become an All-American."

Not only is Olkowski's work ethic extreme, but he is also the leader and the ultimate true team player.

"I feel selfish if I stay with one event," he said. "I know I can earn my team points in other events."

So Olkowski continued to compete, continued to win (without recognition), and loved every minute of it.

Then in February, Olkowski was put through more heartache when he watched his teammate Kevin Dare die in a tragic accident at a meet in Minnesota.

On the paw pendant that Olkowski wears around his neck, he had Kevin's initials engraved. Now, before every event that Olkowski competes in, he rubs the paw.

"I use it as an inspiration...He gives me strength," Olkowski said.

Instead of closing shop, Olkowski and the rest of the team kept on fighting. Two weeks ago at the NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., Olkowski made it to the finals in the high jump and the 200-meter dash. The top eight finishers received All-American accolades.

Olkowski jumped 6-11 3/4 in the high jump; good enough for a fifth place finish and his first All-American award, but his night was not over yet.

Olkowski stepped to the block in the 200, rubbed the paw that dangled from around his neck and took off. His time of 21.23 seconds was good enough for his second All-American honor.

"It's very rare in two events like the high hump and the 200," said Groves. "I've been around since the sport has...and that's never been done before." Olkowski was thrilled with his accomplishments. "Nobody expected me to win...I love surprising people," he said. Olkowski led the Lions to a 22-2-1 record indoors, a season which he helped his team reach No. 2 in the USTCA National Power Rankings. With all of Olkowski's achieved this year, one would think he would be content with where he is, but the opposite is true. Olkowski will get another week off, before he and the rest of the Lions host the Jim Thorpe Invitational on March 3 at noon on the Nittany Lion Outdoor Track. With everything he has been through he has proven he can excel when the deck is stacked against him and going into his final collegiate season on thing is for sure: you can never count this kid out.