MONMOUTH, Ore. – After putting together an impressive senior season, Grace Knapp has since graduated and has been navigating the new world with the pandemic.
Knapp was able to work at a few veterinary clinics and will look to start veterinary school this coming fall.
"Since graduating, I've just been working at various veterinary clinics gaining experience in the field before I start veterinary school in this fall," Knapp said. "I had always planned on taking a gap year between undergrad and veterinary school, which I am really thankful for because I don't think I was cutout for online school. I really enjoy my job working with animals, but I am looking forward to starting the next stage of that at Oregon State University in September."
Following a cross country season in which Knapp set a new WOU school record by placing 59th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, which is the highest finish by a women's runner at WOU since the school moved to the NCAA era. Earlier that season she placed fifth at the GNAC Championships. Although it has only been a year, being able to stay in touch with friends from the team has been more of a challenge and a lot of it was done virtually.
"I've stayed in contact with quite a few of my friends from the team since we graduated, although most of our hangouts have been virtual due to the pandemic," Knapp said. "It's been really fun and inspiring to see everyone start the next chapter in their lives, and I'm glad I'm able to stay in contact with them to see them grow."
While it was a strong cross country season, Knapp also had a solid indoor season to remember in 2019. She put together personal-best marks in the 1,500, 3,000 and the 5,000. She helped the DMR team place third at the GNAC Indoor Championships. Both of her times in the 3,000 and the 5,000 rank second all-time in the WOU record books in the events.
"Time has really flown by since graduating, and I honestly can't believe it's been a whole year already. It's been weird not competing, but I've been enjoying running for fun and exploring my other interests," Knapp said. "I've gotten into rock climbing recently, which I was never able to do whole at WOU because I was so injury prone."
With a year outside of school and in the workforce under her belt, Knapp looks back on the great experiences from WOU and how that helped shape her into the person she is today.
"It's been a weird year, especially working in a healthcare setting-albeit with animals, not people. It has really shown me a lot about myself, and I'm really happy with where I'm at and where I'm going," Knapp said. "I'm very thankful for my experiences at WOU and the people I met there. They have definitely shaped me into the person I am now.
