After graduating from Fort Lewis College in 2012, Missy Erickson began thinking big.
Now, the top-notch cyclist is living in the Los Angeles area, training at one of the world’s premier velodromes. Her goal is a spot on the U.S. cycling team at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
She’s also needing a little help.
The USA Cycling Development Foundation is matching the funds she raises, up to $2,500, before May 24. The foundation recently named nine women in its National Development Program to receive the matching grant.
“As the only (female) member on the national team, I am 100 percent focused on training towards the Rio 2016 Olympics,” Erickson said in an email to the Herald. “My season this year is focused around qualifying for World Cups and gaining Olympic qualifying points.”
The funds raised must be spent on cycling travel and training costs in 2014, according to a news release from USA Cycling.
“I need to train full time to be successful,” Erickson said on her RallyMe website, set up to accept donations from boosters. “This is why I am asking for your support to become part of my Olympic journey.”
Erickson, a native of Alexandria, Minn., made her mark as a cyclist at FLC, winning two races at the local Squawker Classic in 2011. She also placed high in several national road and track events.
Although FLC had no local access to a velodrome, it still competed at collegiate track nationals, and that was Erickson’s introduction to the sport. About two years ago, Erickson fully dedicated herself to track cycling.
“Although I raced crits, road, etc., for USA Cycling, when I graduated, I moved to LA to focus alone on track sprinting,” she told the Herald.
She earned a degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis.
Erickson is a national champion in the 500 meters and the team sprint. She is ranked No. 1 among U.S. cyclists in the time trial.
In February 2013, she teamed with Madalyn Godby to set a U.S. record in the team sprint at the Pan American Championships in Mexico City.
Currently, she’s training full-time on the track at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, Calif., about 10 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. She lives in San Pedro, Calif.
johnp@durangoherald.com
To help
To contribute to Missy Erickson’s fundraising effort, visit www.rallyme.com/rallies/47/missy-erickson.
