Running to Victory; A Conversation with Gabby Grattan

Ashley McDermott ’26

Sports editor

Gabby Grattan ’24 of the Trinity track and field team was awarded the NESCAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week. Grattan is ranked #2 in the nation and #1 in the NESCAC after clearing 1.69m, winning the Tufts Snowflake Classic. The Tripod asked Grattan about her time on the track, and where she will go next.

T: When did you know that track and field was the sport that you wanted to pursue?

GG: Track just fell into my lap, I played lacrosse in middle school and high school, but I didn’t like lacrosse that much. My main sport in high school was actually soccer, but I had a lot of friends on the track team in high school, so I decided to join the track team my sophomore year. My high school coach had me try every event and I ended up being pretty decent at the high jump and the hurdles.

T: With other sports in the mix, how did track and field align for you?

GG: Track was like an added element to me in the recruiting process. When I was going through the recruitment process for soccer, I would also make an effort to meet and talk with the track coaches. I’ve always played multiple sports at the same time growing up, so I knew I could handle playing two sports in college. I didn’t really realize my potential in track and field, specifically in the high jump, until sophomore year of college when I realized how close I was to qualifying for nationals which I ended up doing for that season.

T: How does it feel to receive this recognition?

GG: It feels good. I love knowing that my dedication and hard work behind the scenes is showing in competitions and becoming more apparent to others in receiving this recognition, and I don’t want to stop here. We still have many meets left this season and I hope to reach even higher levels than I ever have before.

T: Who would you like to thank for helping you reach this milestone?

GG: My high jump coach, Coach Morgan. I would have never been able to get to where I am without him and his expertise in the event, along with the time and energy he pours into our practices and competitions. He has taught me so many important lessons, the biggest one being how important self confidence and believing in yourself is. Also, my head coach, Coach Mason. He has so much passion for the sport and he has helped me grow not only on the track but also as a person. It’s super rare to find coaches who value the individual before the athlete and I’m so appreciative of him and everything he’s done for the program. The athletic trainers, they are the best group of people, and I physically wouldn’t be able to jump if it weren’t for them. They always find a way to make me smile, and I can always count on them to make my day a little better. Huge shoutout to Mike Groves! My teammates, who are rays of sunshine, and I can always count on to lift me up and probably inflate my confidence a bit too much. My family, whose love is everything, who make me feel so proud of myself. Being a part of a big, yet tight knit family is so special to me. Finally, my friends. Trinity has given me the best group of friends; they are so supportive of me and are always celebrating my wins and lifting me up. I am so thankful to have them in my life. 

T: What are some of the highlights of your collegiate career? 

GG: NCAA 2024 Indoor T&F Championships hitting my personal record, jumping 1.71m and becoming an All-American for the 3^rd time coming in 6^th place, which is the highest I’ve ever placed. Also, at the NCAA 2023 Outdoor Track and Field Championships, I cleared 1.69m on my second attempt and sprinted over to hug Coach Mason. I had secured myself as an All-American in clearing that height. And at the Last Chance Meet 2022 at Williams College, I jumped 1.68m on my first attempt, qualifying for nationals and breaking the school record. I then jumped 1.69m on my first attempt to set a new PR, pushing me up the nationals list, and break the school record again. Finally, I jumped 1.70m on my third attempt to set a new PR, pushing me significantly higher on the national list, and breaking the school record for a third time. 

 T: What are you looking forward to after graduation?

GG: Following my graduation from Trinity this May, I will be continuing my education at the University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business. There, I will pursue my Masters of Science in Finance (MSF) starting in June. I am very interested in finance; after my graduation in 2025 I hope to pursue a job in wealth and investment management. I am also excited to say that I will be continuing my collegiate high jumping journey as I will be joining Notre Dame’s track and field team next year. Although I still am competing for one more year, I am treating this spring as if it is my last. I love competing for Trinity track and Field and I hope to finish out my season on a high note.