TCU quarterback Chandler Morris (4) scrambles and gets loose from Iowa State defensive end Joey Petersen (52) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney.)
After excelling in track for the Aledo Bearcats, Gracie Morris initially attended the University with Steller of Texas in Austin to continue her running career. However, after one year, she transferred to TCU, just 20 miles east of her hometown.
At TCU, Morris truly shone, breaking seven school records before her recent graduation. “The biggest thing to achieve greatness in this sport is consistency and patience,” Morris said. “You have to be disciplined and build year after year. You can’t compare your journey and timing to anyone else’s, and one day it will finally click. Leading up to college, training became pretty tricky. I had surgery on my foot sophomore year and was still trying to balance how to stay healthy.”
Regardless of injuries or changing her academic and competitive environment, Morris was well-prepared for a standout career with the Horned Frogs. Her dedication and practice habits were honed from a young age.
“I first got into track when I was 8 years old,” Morris said. “My twin brothers’ (Graydon) teacher saw us running at recess and told my mom to put us on a summer track team.
“The previous head coach at TCU, Darryl Anderson, convinced me to transfer to TCU by showing me that a smaller program can be more individualized and caring toward the athletes. They cared more about my health, individual success, and future.”
Morris holds or is part of school records in seven events: the outdoor 800-meter run, outdoor 1500, outdoor 4×800 relay, outdoor distance medley relay, indoor 800, indoor mile run, and indoor DMR. With a remarkable list of personal achievements, Morris hopes to see the sport grow in recognition within TCU’s program and beyond.
“I hope to help TCU establish more of a distance program,” Morris said. “In the past, it’s been more of a sprint school. I also hope to inspire other local kids to get into the sport and look at TCU as an option.”
Morris was named a 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Second Team All-American in the 1,500.
