Tyrone senior Nate “PR” Erickson’s inspirational athletic journey hit an important milestone on March 13, 2026, when he formally committed to attend Lock Haven University in the fall to participate in cross country and track while studying pre-physical therapy.
While there is reason to celebrate any student gifted enough academically and athletically to compete at the college level, Erickson’s story is especially remarkable because when he first joined the track team as a freshman, no one, including Erickson himself, could have predicted that he would someday become a DII college athlete.
“My biggest challenge was simply starting,” Erickson said. “I had no idea what I was doing, and I was constantly getting dead last and lapped, making it mentally exhausting. But with the help of my coaches and teammates, and a big desire to improve, I eventually started seeing success.”
Tyrone Head Coach Brad Kanuch called Erickson one of the most inspiring athletes he’s ever coached.
“When Nate first joined the team, I really didn’t know what to think,” Kanuch said. “His first clocked mile was somewhere around 9 minutes, I believe. But Nate made you notice him, because each meet, and each day he went out to get better.”
Which is exactly what he did, earning himself the nickname “PR” because every time he hit the track, he seemed to set a new personal record.
“My biggest accomplishment is simply going way farther than I ever believed I could,” Erickson said. “My first ever mile, my freshman year, was an 8:47, and now my current best is 5:00.08. To put that in perspective, today I would lap my freshman self almost two times.”
Erickson learned early in his athletic career that the only way to get better is to work hard. In fact, Coach Kanuch called him “the hardest-working kid I’ve ever coached.”
“In the 13 years I have been a coach, I have never seen a kid transform the way he has and continue to get better at the rate he has. It’s truly impressive,” Kanuch said.
After gaining some confidence on the track as a freshman, Erickson decided to also go out for cross country in the fall of his sophomore year.
“I wanted to challenge myself and try something new, and after my first track season, the cross-country coach asked me to join. I accepted and loved it,” said Erickson. “When I first started, I was by far the slowest, and now I am running times I would have never imagined I could.”
His experience in cross country was very similar to track; he worked hard, and as the season progressed, he steadily went from the back of the pack to the front.
“My first thoughts were that Nate was a very hard worker and very determined,” said Head Cross-Country Coach Tammy Wills. “With each season since his first, he has continued to progress and get better and better.”
Wills has appreciated Erickson’s leadership and will miss him next season.
“Nate has been such an important part of the team the past few years. He is a talented runner who cares about his teammates and has been a great role model and leader to the younger runners on the team. I’m very excited to see where this next new chapter takes him as he moves on,” Wills said.
After posting amazing sophomore and junior seasons, Erickson began to set his sights on competing at the next level.
“I always wanted to go to college, but didn’t know where to go until this year,” said Erickson. “I went on a tour to Lock Haven, and I fell in love with the campus.”
Lock Haven’s track and field and cross country teams compete at the NCAA Division II level.
The track team was fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) last year. At the 2025 Lock Haven Invitational, the men’s cross country team placed 6th out of 20+ teams, and at the end of the 2025 season, Lock Haven finished 14th at the NCAA DII Atlantic Region Championship.
Last year, four Lock Haven athletes qualified for the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, with two setting school records.
While Erickson is excited and ready for college, he is currently focused on his final high school track season.
“I am most excited going into my senior season knowing I’m in the best shape of my life right now, and I have a lot to give. I am also excited to run with my friends, and trying to create as many memories, making the most of my final high school season,” said Erickson.
Outside of cross country and track, Erickson runs all summer with his friends to stay conditioned for the upcoming season.
“The summer is actually when I run the most, and is where I believe a lot of my improvement has come from. In the winter, I am part of the indoor track team, and I am also on the swimming team, to help keep me fresh and in shape,” Erickson said.
As his senior year comes to a close, Erickson’s advice to younger athletes is not to be afraid to try and just keep going.
“Just because you are not that great does not mean you can’t get better. With consistency and determination, you can achieve way more than you ever imagined. Just put in some work and give it a chance, and you might surprise yourself,” Erickson said.
