Knox College Athletics

Shasta Rouch Birkey was a four-year member of the women’s swimming team who graduated from Knox in 1996. She is the only women’s swimmer in Knox history to qualify for Nationals and still holds school records today.

Shasta set records in the 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, 1650 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and as member of the 200 and 400 medley relay teams. She picked up numerous 1^st place finishes over the course of her career, including an impressive showing at the Rockford Invite during her senior year. The Rockford Invite is where she qualified for Nationals in the 100 fly. Shasta was the Midwest Conference Champion in the 100 fly during her senior year as well.

During her junior and senior years, Shasta served as team captain and was voted Most Valuable Swimmer for the Knox swim team multiple times. Former swimming coach Sarah Brown said, “I had the pleasure of coaching Shasta her last two years of college. She was co-captain her senior year and always worked hard and always motivated her fellow teammates.”

After Knox, Shasta began her career in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hewitt. She served as a Gunner’s Mate and Search and Rescue swimmer for three years before being accepted into the Officer Candidate School Program.  Lieutenant Commander Rouch received her commission June of 2000. She earned a master’s degree in Emergency Management from the American Military University.  Shasta has been stationed in Panama City, Newport, Pearl Harbor, and Virginia Beach.  Currently in Albuquerque, she is assigned to Defense Threat Reduction Agency as the Deputy Chief of Operations and Test Safety. Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit awards.

Shasta has continued her athletic pursuits by competing in events that include the New York City Marathon, Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, Storm the Beach, City of Lakes Triathlon, and most recently a half ironman in Dillon, Colorado, the highest triathlon in the world.