Emily Ritter was a Henlopen Conference Cross Country champion at Sussex Tech. During her college track and field career at Rider she earned NCAA All-American Honors. Now Ritter looks to be part of the biggest stage in sports, the Olympics.

On Friday, July 1, the U.S. Track and Field Trials begin in earnest at the University of Oregon (the Walking finals were scheduled for Thursday, June 30 in Salem, Oregon). Ritter will make her bid for Team USA by competing in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase. She placed ninth in this event at last year’s NCAA Championships, also held at Oregon. Her participation that year made Rider history as Ritter became the first female track and field athelete to qualify for the championships.

She enters the trials free of any pressure.

“It’s just a special feeling to compete at this event and to know that there is no pressure on me in any way because I am not a favorite,” Ritter said.

The finals for the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase are June 7.