MOSCOW, Idaho – Hard work and perseverance.  That's what it takes to graduate.
 
That's also what it takes to run a 10k.
 
This weekend, Andrea Condie will do both.  And while she won't be able to celebrate at the ceremony in the Dome in Moscow, she has found a way to look on the bright side.
 
"I wouldn't want to trade this moment for anything else," Condie said on Thursday at the Big Sky Championships in Missoula, Mont.  "Being out here at the Big Sky Championships, and getting to be here with my teammates for the last time is definitely something that's really special.  It kind of sucks that I don't get to celebrate with my school friends, all the work that I put in with them and all the studying we did together, but this is also a big part of my life.  This is almost like a graduation ceremony for me, my last conference meet.  It's the same kind of atmosphere and the same kind of feeling of finishing it off right and celebrating."
 
Athletically, she has scored for the Vandals twice in each of the last three Big Sky Championships, including finishing second in the 5k at the outdoor championships in Moscow.  She qualified for the 2018 NCAA Championships First Round, and is currently in position to make it back in 2019.  In cross country, she competed for the Vandals in four straight NCAA West Regionals, and earned First Team All-Big Sky in 2018 after finishing eighth at the conference championships.
 
Academically, Condie has earned 10 Academic All-Big Sky honors, and will be bringing home her 11^th once grades are official this semester.  She reflected on her time as a student.
 
"It's been a lot of work over four years, especially in the engineering program.  A lot of late nights, a lot of study sessions, a lot of trying to get all of my work done before travel trips.  It's a huge relief to be done with all of that, and really exciting to have the degree and get to pursue that side of things that I haven't really had time to fully invest myself in with doing sports."
 
Now she'll spend about 40 hours per week pursuing her passion off the track.  Condie has already locked up a full time gig, and will move south in the Gem State when the season is over.
 
"I have a full time job down in Twin Falls, Idaho, working for Glanbia Nutritionals.  I'll be a food process engineer.  It's a really interesting program that I'm joining.  It's two years, and they rotate you around to different plants every six months.  I'll be in Twin Falls for six months and then I don't really know after that."
 
To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho track and field/cross country by following the team on Twitter @IdahoTrack.