Knapp places 59th at NCAA National Championships for highest finish by a women's runner for WOU at Nationals in NCAA era

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Grace Knapp competed with and against the top runners in all of Division II Saturday and she held her own coming in 59^th in the 6k race that took place at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. Her finish is the highest for a women's runner at WOU in program history at nationals.

"I'm really happy with how the race turned out! Although it would have been nice to end my cross country career with a personal record, I'm mainly just grateful for the opportunity to race with the best. There was some steep competition, and it's so amazing to feel like I belong with that group," Knapp said.

Knapp ran to a time of 21:15.9 to come in 59^th out of 260 runners. She made her move steadily throughout the race, jumping up 95 spots through the first mile and then jumped into the top-100 after the first 2.3K. Sitting in 76^th with just under 2K left, Knapp made another strong push getting to 66^th at 5.1K before jumping the final seven spots to come in 59^th.

"I'm really thankful for all the people who believed in my throughout the season and wished me luck before the race. It took so much weight off my race knowing I had people who support me and want to watch me succeed. I am so blessed to have such a great support system. Some of my teammates drove all the way to the meet to surprise me, and it was such a blessing to have them cheering me on during the race. I'm excited to shift gears and focus on indoor track now!" Knapp added.

Knapp and the rest of her WOU track teammates will now turn their attention to the indoor season that will open on Dec. 6-7 at the Candy Cane Invite on the campus of Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash.

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