From considering status as a walk-on at “maybe the DII or DIII level” to NCAA Division I conference champion, Erik Barkhaus (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) has had a whirlwind past five years since setting foot on the Seattle University campus. Barkhaus overcame injury and adversity to nab the title of WAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2012, becoming Seattle U’s first DI conference champion since reclassification and first overall male cross country conference champion since 2005.
“I knew I had a chance to win and I really wanted to. I felt like I could if I had a good race, but being able to execute the plan and for everything to come together was really rewarding. I knew there was a difference between thinking about what you should be able to do and actually doing it. So I was still very happy to be able to actually achieve it.”
In May 2013, back on the Seattle U campus, Barkhaus was rewarded for his accomplishments, both during the 2012-13 season and throughout his career, as the male recipient of the Bill Fenton 101 Club Athlete of the Year award. Having finished his coursework to graduate prior to the spring quarter, there had been a time gap since he’d been in direct, daily contact with his coaches and teammates.
“It had been a few weeks since track had ended, so it was cool to go back and see the whole team. You’re just kind of sitting there watching the awards show happen, and then you hear your name and you think ‘Oh wow, now I have to walk up on stage in front of everyone.’ But it was a great honor.”
Baseball was originally Barkhaus’ main sport until midway through his high school career, and it wasn’t until his junior or senior year that he fully realized his desire to compete in cross country/track & field.
During the cross country season of his junior year, a solid beginning of the season was halted by injury.
After coming back from a broken leg, he had the opportunity to attend a collegiate camp at nearby University of Wisconsin, which increased his desire to compete at the collegiate level.
“I saw what those guys did and learned a lot more about what competing in college looks like. I met with people from surrounding schools and a lot of the older guys educated me more on college opportunities.
“I knew I didn’t have the times, but I knew I had the promise before I broke my leg. So, I decided I wanted to do as well as possible during my senior year and possibly have a shot at competing in college.”
Barkhaus talked with SU cross country/track & field head coach Trisha Steidl when he started looking at colleges in the Pacific Northwest, as he had family in the area.
“I saw that Seattle U was right in the middle of the city and had great academics. I saw that where the team was, it might be a good fit for me coming in. I talked to Trisha and it seemed like the right fit.”
Once he got to campus and met his coaches and fellow teammates, he knew he had made the right decision.
“I love being on a close-knit team and having that support system. Being on a team also keeps my schedule on track. After the season, it’s hard to transition from knowing exactly when you have to do what to thinking ‘Oh I have the rest of the day, I should just watch TV, hang out, and do this later’. It makes you learn discipline very quickly.”
Barkhaus, not just setting records athletically, has also excelled academically while at Seattle U.
Graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Barkhaus was voted Capital One Academic All-America Third Team, becoming Seattle U’s first such honoree as a full Division I member. He is also SU’s first overall Academic All-American since 2008-09. Barkhaus was one of 67 male Division I student-athletes to be awarded USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic status, also named WAC All-Academic in 2013.
Heading back to Wisconsin after graduation and beginning preparation to continue competitive running and possibly enter the work force, Barkhaus looks back on his collegiate career and gives advice to future Redhawks.
“Enjoy those great times and don’t take anything for granted. Your time in college will go super fast, so enjoy this part of your life. Even down the road, just enjoy life, whatever stage you’re in.”