Erin Kerkhoff

Started: She began competing in Para athletics in 2021 having already been involved in non-Para athletics. (kcrg.com, 26 Jun 2021) Reason: After competing in non-Para sprint events at the 2019 Drake Relays in Des Moines, IA, United States of America, she was approached by US Para athletics coach Joaquim Cruz about taking up the sport. It was only later, under coach Dave Paulsen at the University of Northern Iowa, that she decided to get involved in Para athletics. "I don't know if I wasn't ready at the time, I definitely had a little background, but coach Paulsen finally came up to me in practice one day. I wasn't even expecting it and we just kind of had a pretty deep conversation about it. He had to convince me a little bit because I was a little nervous about it since I didn't know a ton of details. He did talk me into it and it all worked out, so I'm thankful that he did." (thegazette.com, 29 Jun 2021) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (usparatf.org, 16 Jun 2023) Additional Info: COLLEGIATE CAREER She has competed in non-Para athletics for the University of Northern Iowa in the United States of America. "I chose the University of Northern Iowa for many reasons but my final decision to attend came after a campus visit with coach [Dave] Paulsen and coach [Alexina] Wilson at the track. They valued my ability as an athlete and didn't hesitate to bring me onto the team when I told them about my vision loss. In fact, they supported my attitude that I could overcome any obstacle and continue my success at the Division I level. Competing in track and field at the Division I collegiate level has been great preparation for the Paralympic Games. The competition is fierce, and the pressure is intense." (teamusa.org, 01 Mar 2020)