After a year off from sports during her freshman year, Gretsch ached for an athletic outlet. Once she had found one, she could not be stopped.

It was actually not until halfway through her Wash. U. career, when she was home for summer vacation after her sophomore year, that Gretsch’s Paralympic dream began to crystallize.

This past Sunday night, Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia came alive one last time for an inspiring display of acrobatics, stunts and dances. Fans from around the world packed the stadium for support as their nations’ athletes took one last lap around the stadium to officially close out the Winter Olympic season.

Although relatively new to wheelchair sprinting, Washington University instructor Kerri Morgan will be in Beijing starting Sept. 6 for the 13th Paralympic Games in that sport.