Women's Cross Country

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Katie Erb, UW-Whitewater

Each week during the 2025-26 academic year, the WIAC will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.

Name:  Katie Erb
Institution:  UW-Whitewater
Hometown and High School:  Winnebago, Ill. (Winnebago High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sports:  Cross Country and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
Major:  Communication Sciences and Disorders
Minor:  Family, Health, and Disabilities Studies

Why did you choose UW-Whitewater
I chose UW-Whitewater because they have a good speech pathology program I want to get into after undergraduate school. I am also able to run both track and cross country while receiving a good education.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I am involved in National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I like racing and talking to people from other teams.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Chicken Tenders
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Really Resees
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  In front of the University Center (UC)
TV Show?  New Girl
Holiday?  Thanksgiving
Food?  Steak
Animal?  Penguin
Smartphone App?  TikTok
Musical Group or Artist?  Taylor Swift
Professional Sports Athlete or Team?  Packers
Vacation Spot?  Gatlinburg, Tennessee
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
My freshman year, we won the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) at conference and broke our school record. I didn’t even know we had a chance to run that fast. The team was so excited, and it felt good to be a part of it.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
I love to go on walks with my teammates or go and get a sweat treat.
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
I look up to my dad. He is always there for me and is my biggest supporter.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Don’t compare yourself to others. If you are always focusing on others success, you won’t have time to focus on your own.
 
One word that describes you?
Determined.
 
What is your dream job? 
Speech Pathologist
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---I want to travel to Europe
---See the northern lights
---Visit all 50 states.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
I am a good baker.

What’s your dream sporting event to attend?
I want to watch track and field at the Olympics.
 
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
In high school, before every race, me and my teammates would say “Run fast, kick butt!” So, before the race, I turn to all my teammates competing and say that while giving them knuckles.
 
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