CORVALLIS, Ore. – Elizabeth Grandle's remarkable comeback story has earned her the highest individual honor in the Cascade Collegiate Conference: Female Athlete of the Year, as voted by the conference's athletic directors. 

The senior from Molalla, Washington, capped a historic 2025-26 season by claiming the NAIA Heptathlon National Title with 5,207 points, a triumph that followed a devastating knee injury the previous year, which included tears to three ligaments and prematurely ended her season.

Grandle's dominance extended across the track and field landscape. She was named the Cascade Conference Track & Field Athlete of the Year and the USTFCCCA West Region Field Athlete of the Year. She also earned CCC Field Athlete of the Week honors three times and was nationally recognized as an NAIA Athlete of the Week.

At the Cascade Conference Championship, Grandle delivered one of the most memorable performances in meet history. She won the heptathlon while setting both the Eastern Oregon program record and the CCC Championship meet record. Her marks led the competition in the high jump, shot put, 100-meter hurdles, 200 meters, and javelin, earning her CCC Most Valuable Performer of the Meet honors.

Grandle's journey this season—from overcoming serious injury to achieving national glory—cements her legacy as one of the most outstanding athletes in both conference and Eastern Oregon history. Beyond her athletic excellence, she continues to shine academically and in her community, exemplifying the complete student-athlete experience.