After three meets, the 2012-13 track and field season has been a memorable one for sophomore Nick Efkamp.

In the first meet of the season, the ISU sprinter won the 300-meter dash (33.93) and was one of the Cyclones’ 16 wins that day.

The second meet of the season had him in a different event with the same result as he won the 400-meter dash (46.75) and also placed third (21.61) in the 200-meter dash during the ISU Open with roughly 100 competitors.

In the meet Jan. 24-26, the Bill Bergan Invitational, Efkamp ran his personal best (21.35) while taking first in the 200-meter dash. Efkamp also placed sixth in the 60-meter dash (6.93).

“Confidence is a big thing at this level,” Efkamp said. “I think that winning races brings personal best times, but confidence comes from doing every rep[etition] the way coach wants it and as close to perfect as you can get it in practice day in and day out.”

Efkamp’s improvement has come at the right time, with less than one month remaining until the Big 12 Championships.

“He’s always been a fierce competitor with a lot of confidence, and you have to have that on the track,” said assistant coach Nate Wiens. “His times are ranked in the nation, and our big goal for him is to become an All-American.”

Growing up in Madrid, Iowa, Efkamp has had the privilege of seeing his family and hometown friends cheer him on during home meets since Iowa State is about 25 minutes away.

“I am at Iowa State because I wanted my family, friends and old coaches to be able to watch me compete,” Efkamp said. “They are the reason I am where I am today, so I feel like they deserve to see me still competing.”