JESSICA McRAE
The following is a spotlight profile on Jessica McRae, George Mason University's nominee for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. The Atlantic 10 institutions nominated a total of 14 outstanding student-athletes for the award (READ MORE). The A-10 will profile each of the institutional nominees.
PROFILE
Jessica McRae has distinguished herself as a student, an athlete and a leader for George Mason track and field. She was the 2022 Aimee Willard Commemorative Award winner, given to the Patriot student-athlete that displays intensity, consistency of purpose, achievement and teamwork. A Mason Provost Scholar-Athlete and an Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient, McRae also was the 2020 recipient of the Jeffrey and Debora Smith Endowed Scholarship. Her athletic prowess extends to earning gold in the 2021 A-10 hammer throw, and silver in the hammer (outdoor) and weight throw (indoor) at the 2022 A-10 Championships. An Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection as a freshman, and a five-time A-10 medalist, McRae was part of the 2019 Mason Outdoor Track and Field Team that won the conference title, scoring in the hammer throw and shot put for the Patriots. She ranks second all-time in the Mason record books in the hammer throw and 11th in the shot put, and she began her career in 2019 as a walk-on. That career culminated with a bid to the NCAA East Preliminaries in 2022. As a volunteer, McRae worked with the Henrico Doctor's Hospital in the postpartum unit, mentored students at Daniel Runs Elementary, and was a member of the Black Student Alliance, serving on the community service committee.
SNAPSHOT
Sport: Track & Field
Events: Throws
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Glen Allen, Va.
Q&A WITH JESSICA
Q: What would you consider the top moment of your college career?
The top moment of my college career would be when I won the Atlantic 10 Championships in the hammer throw. This was a big accomplishment, and it meant a lot because it was my first outdoor season back after COVID.
Q: What is one thing you would go back and do differently if you could?
One thing I would do differently is try volleyball when I was younger. In high school I wish I had learned how to play because I would always watch my friends’ games and it looked really fun.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? The worst?
Some of the best advice I have received came from a clinical instructor I had my senior year in college. She told my class that when people can’t jump high enough themselves, they will try and tell you that you can’t jump as well. This advice reminded me that people put limitations on you, not because of your own abilities, but because of feelings of inadequacies projected onto you.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of graduating with my Bachelor of science in Nursing. This was an accomplishment that took my dedication and a lot of hard work. Because of how much work and time it required, it made me even more proud when I received my diploma and knew that I would be able to work as a registered nurse.
Q: What Was your favorite class/professor and why?
My favorite class would have to be my music of the world class. This class combined world history and music together and it was a really fun interesting class. I took this class my freshman year and I still remember how, each class, I was excited to hear the lesson.
Q: What is something you wish more people knew about you?
I wish more people knew how much I love Love Island and British reality TV shows. I have watched every season of Love Island and rewatched them. Because I watch Love Island so much, I really like talking in a British accent after watching any British show (my teammates have witnessed this multiple times).
Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
The first thing that is on my bucket list is going on a safari trip in Zimbabwe. The second thing on my bucket list is to fly in a fighter jet. My third would be meeting Michael B Jordan.