WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Erica Rittgers understands what goes into preparing for the NCAA Div. III national track and field championships.

Since her sophomore season with Wartburg, Rittgers has been an alternate on the 4×400 relay, allowing her to become familiar with the surroundings and environment.

That all was to change this weekend, as the Southeast Valley graduate had qualified in three events at indoor nationals.

For Rittgers, though, and many others, the opportunity was taken away when the NCAA canceled all remaining winter and spring championships to try and help contain the spread of COVID-17.

“I think we are all heartbroken and at a loss for words,” Rittgers said after the decision was released. “Years of hard work goes into preparing for a national championship, and as a senior, it hurts even more to have that taken away. My heart hurts for all competitors who cannot compete this weekend.”

Rittgers, a senior, is one of five individual qualifiers, as she’ll compete in the 800 here at JDL Fast Track hosted by Guliford College. She will also be on the 4×400 and distance medley relays.

“I have never qualified for nationals before this year,” she said. “I have actually been the alternate for the 4×400 relay every year since my sophomore season. That means traveling with the team to nationals three times, but never getting to compete at that level.

“Being an alternate has truly made my senior season and qualifying for nationals individually and in multiple events super special. Nationals gives you that environment to run your fastest times yet, and I’m very excited to experience that as a competitor and not an alternate.”

Joining Rittgers, who runs the anchor leg, on the 4×400 will be Jackie Ganshirt, Carson McSorley and Jaderial Staebier. The distance medley consists of the same four, with Rittgers taking the baton first.

The Knights won the American Rivers Conference Indoor Championships team title late last month, scoring 211 points. They were also first at the Liz Wuertz Invitational, won the Wartburg Indoor Select, the Chelsey M. Henkenius Open and the St. Ambrose Invitational.

“Going into the national qualifier meet at home, we knew and were very focused on what we needed to do to get the distance medley and 4×400 relays qualified,” Rittgers said. “I had a good time in the open 800 a couple weeks before, so we were pretty confident that my time would qualify.

“That lessened my load and we hit a good time on Friday night for the DMR and it just set the tone for the 4×4. All the summer training, preseason lifting and hard workouts allowed us to compete at a very high level. It’s very exciting and rewarding seeing our name listed in the Top-10 in the country.”

Wartburg, which also advanced four individuals and both relays on the men’s side, is the only Div. III program to have four relays at nationals. They return five indoor All-Americans in all.

At the conference meet, Rittgers earned honors for her second place finishes in the 800 and 4×400 relay.

Rittgers had her mind focused on becoming an All-American among other things.

“The goal is to run and compete at our highest level,” she said. “But ultimately, bring hardware back. That means being an All-American and placing in the Top-8.”