(Vermillion) The Division-II National Track and Field Championships start on Thursday out in California. USD freshman and Gayville native Emma Erickson has a great shot a 2nd national title in the 800 in 3-months.

In just her first year at USD, Eerickson has already made a huge impact for the Coyotes as she captured the indoor 800 meter national championship back in March.
Emma Erickson says, "I wasn't expecting it. So when something surprising like that happens, it just makes it so much more memorable. It was awesome experience."

Erickson wasn't expecting to be a major contributor for the Coyotes her freshman year. But in just her first year of competition, she's already earned three All-American honors and has become a key member in the Coyotes push for a national championship.
"To be honest, I came here thinking I just want to make the relays you know and to come and actually compete as an individual is really a confidence booster for me," Erickson said.
"She has done amazing things. When you look at where she can go, she may end up being one of the best track athletes to ever run in the state of South Dakota," head coach Lucky Huber said.

Erickson credits her success this year to her teammates and the competition that goes on at practice.
"Every practice we have is like a miniature track meet because you have the the top athletes in the state. Every day, you are on the line with Steph Gebhart doing 400's, so every race is a race," Erickson said.
"I think her and steph have worked really hard together training. And I think that has been as much responsible for Emma's success as anything else as everyday in practice, Steph has been there to push her and they've really taken each other to another level," Huber said.

In her first year running collegiality, Erickson has set school records in both the indoor and outdoor 800 meter run and owns the top time in the country in the 800 meter run. But despite all the early success, the Coyote coaching staff say erickson hasn't even hit her stride yet.
Lucky Huber says, "She really hasn't figured out track and field yet. She's really young at track and field. Someday when she gets this all figured out, we're going to be talking about her doing some amazing things."

Erickson will run in the prelims on Thursday in Walnut, California in the D-II National Championships.