Celebrating Hispanic History Month: Meet Grace Trujillo

Grace Trujillo is in her first season at The University of Tulsa as an assistant coach. She previously served as the coaching intern at the U.S. Rowing U19 Women’s High Performance and Olympic Development Program. She rowed at UCF for two years (2018-2020) and then concluded her collegiate career at Washington State (2020-2023).

What is your favorite quote, who said it, and what does it mean for you?

“Closed mouths don’t get fed” to me this essentially means take action. 

What role has your family and culture played in shaping your athletic career?

My family has been incredibly supportive in my athletic career. My parents had me starting sports when I was just three years old, my first sport being tennis. My dad was a professional athlete and played two college sports so he knew the importance of athletics and team environments on development. He always reminded me how much harder we have to work to be perceived at the same level as my white teammates. 

When I was young, being biracial made it hard for me to fit in with any group because I didn’t really fit neatly into one box. Sports really helped me find a place where I felt like I belonged. I was able to find self-confidence through sport. 

What advice would you give to younger rowing athletes who may struggle to see themselves in the sport?

I would encourage younger athletes who are struggling to see themselves in sport to reflect on why they are doing what they do. I think it's so important to find the right motivation for yourself to keep going because it will foster a longer, happier relationship with rowing. 

As you continue your career, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave for future athletes?

I would feel very accomplished if I could leave behind a legacy of being unapologetic and authentic. It's so easy to fit in. It is a challenge being content with who you are and sharing that with those around you, but it is incredibly freeing. 

What does it mean to you to have Hispanic Heritage Month recognized and celebrated?

Having Hispanic Heritage Month be recognized and celebrated means a lot to me. I’m incredibly happy to see more and more of the Hispanic community entering the rowing world. The visibility alone is so much more impactful than many people realize. One thing that keeps me motivated in this line of work is the quote “If she can see her, she can be her” and I feel very empowered to be that person of visibility. 

How can sports organizations better support and celebrate diversity, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month?

I think a commitment to recognizing differences instead of the whole “color blind” mindset would be impactful. Bringing visibility to Hispanic athletes and coaches and highlighting their stories and how they got to where they are. 

The 2024 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Pioneers of Change – shaping the future together. What does the future of rowing look like in your eyes?

Rowing is not a diverse sport, everyone knows it. Hopefully, the future of rowing can grow to be more diverse in many different avenues. I think it would bring a lot of value to the community to break the mold.