Jasneet Nijjar, a graduate student on the Washington State University women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, has seen it all throughout her four-plus years here. Originally from British Columbia where she resided until making the decision to attend WSU, Nijjar was in for a healthy amount of change as she moved south to pursue her athletic and academic goals.
We were able to sit down with Jasneet to discuss growing up in British Columbia, how track got started for her, her college career, and much more. Here is what Jasneet had to say...
What are your thoughts on how the first half of the indoor season has progressed?
"I think it has gone well this Winter. In preparation for the DMR (distance-medley relay), and after coming up short on that relay last year, we all want to make sure we get to nationals this year. We keep practicing and working hard, and I think come that time we'll be exactly where we want to be.
Let's take it back for a minute to your high school and college days. When was it that you decided to start doing track?
"I was seven years old (when I started running track). I have three siblings and we all did track once we reached that same age. At age nine was when I started competing competitively, and just took it from there. My dad always had a passion for track, but growing up in villages in India meant that he wasn't afforded those opportunities. Since his kids took that same interest, he wanted to see us do as well as we possibly could."
Having spent your entirely life in B.C, what was the transition like for you coming down to Pullman?
"It's definitely different. So in B.C, there aren't really competitive track and field schools, only at the club level. I saw plenty of my friends go off to Division I schools for track and did great, so that's how I started my own recruiting process. [WSU Director of Track & Field/ Cross Country] (Wayne Phipps) is from that area as well, so we had that Canadian connection from the start. First stepping into Pullman, I immediately knew it's where I wanted to be. Such a family-like atmosphere and I've loved every moment of it."
Speaking of recruiting, what was the college search process like for you?
At the time, we were only allowed three visits per school. Following my third visit here, I knew it's where I wanted to be. I had also visited Iowa state and Duke, but I had never really been away from home and this was my first chance to do just that. I've always loved the West side and it was my chance to get away without being too far from my home. So I visited WSU, and the rest is history.
Do you have an idea of what you want to do once you leave Pullman?
So I'm in the kinesiology master's program right now. I want to go to PT school after, but I still want to complete my competitive track goals. Doing those both at the same time I know is challenging, so I will take this year to see how track goes, and then use the offseason to decide how I should continue.
Name one thing that Coug fans should know about you.
This isn't something about me but April 19th! We have a meet here at WSU. We rarely ever have any home meets and we need all the support we can get. Cougs come out and support!
Good luck on the rest of the season Jasneet! Go Cougs!
