Washington University sprinter-hurdler Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wagner charts path from Webster Groves to post-graduation service plans

A St. Louis-raised athlete balancing competition, academics and career decisions

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wagner, a senior on Washington University in St. Louis’ women’s track and field team, has emerged as a late-blooming competitor whose college career has been shaped by family legacy, a shift in events and a parallel focus on public-interest work.

Wagner is a native of Webster Groves and a graduate of John Burroughs School. Track and field was not her first priority in high school; she began running as a sophomore, initially to improve her basketball conditioning. As college approached, she began viewing track as a viable path, but her recruitment process did not begin with WashU as the preferred destination.

Family ties to WashU athletics—and the pressure that came with them

Wagner entered a program where her last name was already familiar. Two older siblings, Annalise and John Henry, are WashU graduates and competed for the Bears in track and field, contributing to notable team and individual achievements. Wagner has described encountering early expectations tied to that history, including comparisons during her first year.

Over time, she moved toward defining herself as a separate athlete, a process that included changing her competitive focus. Rather than remaining in the same event group associated with her siblings, she shifted toward sprinting and hurdling, with an emphasis on the 400-meter hurdles.

Performance development and team role

Indoors, Wagner has continued to post season-to-season improvement, including a personal-best 2:19.24 in the 800 meters recorded at the first meet of 2026. Coaches and teammates have pointed to her progression as the result of steady work, growing confidence and adapting to new training demands after the event transition.

• Background: Webster Groves native; John Burroughs graduate
• College: WashU senior, women’s track and field
• Academics: Double major in African-American Studies and Political Science
• Athletics: Shifted toward sprint/hurdle specialization, including 400 hurdles

Life beyond the track: academic focus and civic interests

Wagner is pursuing a double major in African-American Studies and Political Science, and she has described her college experience as shaped as much by community and campus life as by competition. As graduation approaches, her stated plans include applying for service work and legal support roles.

She has identified the Peace Corps in the Philippines as a first-choice option, citing family roots there, while also applying for a two-year paralegal position at civil rights litigation law firms.

What comes next

With indoor competition underway and the outdoor season ahead, Wagner is approaching the final stretch of her collegiate eligibility while weighing post-graduation opportunities. Her near-term goals combine professional direction with public-service interests, reflecting a profile that extends beyond athletics as she prepares to leave WashU.