Erin Kerkhoff

Determined to achieve her athletic goals, Erin Kerkhoff represented UNI on both the national and international stages despite physical challenges along her path.

A Coralville native who was member of the Panther track and field team from 2019 to 2024, Kerkhoff was born with optic nerve atrophy, leaving her visually impaired with 20/300 vision in her right eye and 20/400 in the left eye.

While growing up with a physical disability, sports remained a constant part of her life, particularly track. An 11-time Iowa High School state medalist and state champion in the 4x400-meter relay as a senior at Solon High School, she concluded her prep career by receiving the All-Iowa Courage Award during the 2019 Iowa High School Sports Awards.

After garnering inquiries about the Paralympics at the end of high school, combined with the support of her college coaches, Kerkhoff earned her spot on Team USA in the summer of 2021 for the Tokyo Games, which were delayed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In her international debut, Kerkhoff finished fifth in the 400-meter dash in the women’s T13 classification, and seventh in the 100 meters.

Kerkhoff’s future seasons saw her win three gold medals at the 2023 U.S. Paralympic National Championships, a bronze medal in the T13 200 meters at the 2023 Para World Championships and a silver medal the following in the event.

Heading into the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, Kerkhoff noted in an interview with Iowa News Now her confidence heading into her latest international competition.

“From then on I honestly felt I didn’t need to hide my vision anymore,” Kerkhoff said. “It’s something I really represent and be proud of because I get to run on a humongous stage and represent Team USA.”

UNI head coach Dave Paulsen also complimented Kerkhoff’s hard work and drive towards achieving her goals in 2024 when she was named to the U.S. Paralympic national team.

"Erin has dedicated herself to be the best version of herself and put herself into a great position to compete among the world's best athletes,” Paulsen said. “We as coaches and teammates are thrilled to support her in her journey towards her second Paralympic Games appearance and are excited to see where the opportunities take her." 

Kerkhoff would take eighth in the T13 400 meters and 15th in 100-meter dash at the Paris Games, just months after graduating from UNI with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, where she also earned Purple and Gold Meritorious Award honors. She currently resides in Swisher.