2024-2025
Indoors – Gracee ran in 5 meets indoors, including a 9 th place finish in the 600-yard run at the TTU Stan Scott Invitational and a 13 th place finish in the TTU Red Raider Invitational 800, with an indoor season best time of 2:24.48. At the WAC Championship, she would score points at her first ever conference meet as she ran the leadoff 1200-meter leg on the 8 th place distance medley relay.
Outdoors - competed in 6 outdoor meets. Opened the season with an 8 th place finish in the ACU Wes Kittley Invitational 400. At the Texas Relays, she ran the 2 nd leg on the 7 th place 4x800 relay, that included 2 other freshmen – Jalyn Childers and Emma Santoro. She also placed 4 th in the War Hawk Classic 400. At the WAC Championship in Arlington, she just missed finals finishing in 9 th place (only .32 of a second out of making the finals) with a season best time of 56.97. She then ran the anchor leg on the 5 th place 4x400 relay for the Wildcats.

Before ACU
Gracee enjoyed an outstanding career at Trinity Christian in Willow Park, she progressed to the TAPPS 4A state meet each of the 3 years she attended the school. As a sophomore, she placed 5th in the 800 and 8th in the 1500, as well as running on the 4th place 4x400 relay at the TAPPS 4A state meet. This was after she placed 5th in the TAPPS 4A XC meet. As a HS junior, Gracee placed 5th in the 800 at the TAPPS 4A state meet and her 4x400 relay would win that event. She would place 4th in the TAPPS 4A XC meet in the fall prior to her outdoor season. In the fall of her senior year, she placed 3rd in the TAPPS 4A XC meet. She then finished her HS career with a flourish as she moved to the shorter distances and placed 2nd at the TAPPS 4A meet in both the 200 and 400 and anchored the 3rd place 4x400 relay. At the conclusion of her HS career, Gracee would hold the school record in the 200, 400, 800, and 3200, as well as being a member of the school record 4x400 relay. Her HS personal bests included a 25.55 in the 200, 57.73 in the 400, and 2:25.63 in the 800.

Personal
Gracee graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Willow Park, TX, in 2024. While at Trinity Christian, she was a member of National Honor Society and on the AA Honor Roll. She was also the recipient of the Parker County Horizon Award. Her parents are Jesse and Jennifer Whiteaker and she has a sister, Kara. At ACU, Gracee is an Elementary Education major, as well as being an Honors College student and a Presidential Scholar.

Why did you choose ACU? I chose ACU because I loved the school culture. I knew that ACU had the type of student body of which I wanted to be a part. I love the people here. I also love how intentional ACU is about encouraging and growing the faith of their students, which is so important to me. ACU was absolutely the right place for me, and I am so glad I am able to call it home.

What is your favorite thing about ACU? All the different things you have the opportunity to be involved in on campus. Whether it is honors academics, athletics, growing spiritually, or extracurricular activities, ACU has it all, and has truly felt like a place for everyone.