“I did my first semester of college in Texas and was looking to transfer schools. I liked the University of Utah’s track program, so I checked the team out on Instagram to try to get to know them. I had never been part of an all-woman team, so I was a little worried there would be a lot of drama. However, the team looked so nice and like they had a lot of fun together. So I decided to come to the U. I am so glad I did because the team is amazing. Everyone is friends with each other.

I started running when I was eight. I did a lot of things when I was a kid—I played soccer and the drums—but I stuck with track because I was good at it and was having a lot of fun. I liked that I could see how the hard work was paying off.

Before I came to the U, I had a challenging six years where I didn’t break a single one of my personal records in competition. Even though I was having a hard time, I stayed because I had good friends, which made it fun. I kept going to practice and I did slowly improve. My running times finally started decreasing.

When I came to the U, I qualified for nationals as a freshman. This spring, I took third place in the PAC 12 competition. My coach has been an important part of my success. Because of her help, the support of my team, and the resources I have access to at the U, I’ve been able to be so successful.

This will be my first Olympic games, and I am so excited for the experience. The Olympics are the kind of dream you have as a kid. Then, when you grow up, you understand how hard fulfilling that dream will be. Getting to go to Paris this year means that my hard work has paid off. I am looking forward to living in the athletes’ village, performing on the world stage and getting to run with my national team and wear the Team Norway uniform.”

—Josefine Eriksen, a senior majoring in family development and a member of Team Norway