Her toughest match yet: Saving the planet

When you first meet Katherine Almquist ’24 and learn about her accomplishments and future plans, it’s almost tempting to shake your head in disbelief and think she’s just too good to be true.

Not only is she co-captain of Skidmore’s tennis team, she has already engaged in a variety of impressive scientific research experiences, including work this summer at renown ecological center Harvard Forest.

Once you get to know her, however, you realize that what’s truly special about this Skidmore student-athlete is her combination of drive, work ethic, growth mindset, vision, and kindness. She’s an inspiration — not just for what’s on her résumé, but for what she brings to the tennis court, the science lab, and her campus connections, day in and day out.

I have no idea exactly what lies ahead. But I do know where I want to go. I am on a mission to bring people together to save the planet, and that goal guides me forward through the unknown every day.

Katherine Almquist ’24 via LinkedIn

As long as it takes…
It was her “toughest match of the season.” On a Saturday in April on court No. 4 in the Wilton YMCA (Skidmore’s home court until the new McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center is complete), Almquist was locked up in a tight singles tennis match with Amherst College senior Calista Sha. Amherst was the seventh-ranked women’s team in Division III and would narrowly miss the national semifinals.

In the end, after two and one-half hours of intense hitting and long points, Almquist came up short in the third set tiebreaker. Nevertheless, she was pleased. In the weeks leading up to the match, she says, “I committed to executing my goal in practice of hitting every single ball in with spin, except for serves and volleys, even if I wanted to flatten them out — to stay in and fight for every single point, as long as it took.”

“This commitment helped me work through my urge to bail out at times when I was tired and get past that mental block to be more consistent. I stayed focused for almost the entirety of the Amherst match. In terms of making important mental progress in my game, I am really happy.”

Katherine could be down five games to one, but she has the mental discipline to tell herself, ‘I need to keep competing hard and try to find a way.’ She’s really good at adjusting to situations and experimenting with tactical approaches to see what works.

Curt Speerschneider, Head Women’s Tennis Coach

Fungi and plant health…
But tennis isn’t Almquist’s only passion.

This summer, the environmental science major, who also minors in international affairs and Spanish, is a research intern at Harvard Forest, Harvard’s world-class, 4,000-acre ecological research hub in central Massachusetts. The experience connects undergrads to mentors and researchers in the pursuit of scientific inquiry. It’s a great fit with Almquist’s plan to pursue a J.D.-Ph.D. program and a career in law and environmental science. 

Almquist is eager to use the “extensive research, teamwork, and problem-solving skills gained at Skidmore” to contribute to the Harvard Forest REU subproject on dual mycorrhizal colonization.

Mycorrhizae are fungi that form symbiotic relationships with the roots of plants. She says they’re vital for our natural ecosystems because more than 80% of plants depend on them for nutrient and water uptake which help drive global patterns, especially nutrient cycles. The goal of the research is to determine the advantages of dual colonization in preventing nitrogen and phosphorous limitation — the two primary nutrient forms plants need to survive.

“The internship is quite intense,” Almquist said. “But it is challenging me and expanding my brain in ways I never expected. I love the opportunity to grow and learn and couldn't be more excited to be here.”

Katherine has a positive attitude and the ability to pursue ambitious goals. Nothing stands in her way, and she always moves ahead with genuine enthusiasm.

Kurt Smemo, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences

Climate change data & solutions…
Almquist grew up in southwestern Michigan’s Union Pier Township, a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan, and is a keen observer of the natural world. In her middle school years — she and her twin brother were homeschooled — Almquist began noticing that the lake wasn’t always freezing over as it usually did and later that the presence of algae in the lake was becoming problematic.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in and concerned about water pollution and the importance of Lake Michigan,” she says.

During the summer after her first year at Skidmore, Almquist served as a sustainability intern for nearby Chikaming Township focusing on gauging public awareness and support for environmentally sustainable changes, such as a ban on hard armoring along the township’s 7-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. Hard armoring includes construction of bulkheads, seawalls, and dikes, and has been the traditional approach to shoreline protection.

The following summer, having joined Professor of Chemistry Juan Navea’s Laboratory of Atmospheric Physical Chemistry at Skidmore and developed skills in conducting experiments and dealing with complex research questions, Almquist landed an internship with Penn State’s Drawdown Scholars Program, whose mission is to clarify a positive solutions-oriented path for action on global climate change.

Almquist worked in an electrical engineering lab helping to design an antenna to determine the effects of climate change on honeybees by tracking their flight patterns. Each year, she says, commercial beekeepers suffer significant losses due to pesticides and fertilizers that negatively impact food production. The project helps identify solutions in the electricity, food, agriculture, and land use sectors.

I used to get stressed that I didn't have all of the answers to solve environmental problems, but I'm not supposed to have all the answers, no one does. Through #community, I'm learning about different avenues and directions I can take my interests and expanding my brain to see all the angles.

Katherine Almquist ’24 on LinkedIn

Absolute boss girl…
During the 2022-23 tennis season, Almquist typically played at No. 3 or No. 4 singles, which is noteworthy because in 2021-22 Coach Curt Speerschneider slotted the then-sophomore at No. 1 when the top player decided to study abroad for the year.

“Katherine is so adaptable to different situations, so versatile, so positive with herself that in my estimation she was the natural choice for No. 1,” Speerschneider said.

“I lost a lot, but the coach trusted me, and I trusted the process. I told myself, ‘I know I can do this,’ and I was vindicated with a big win over Vassar toward the end of the spring season,” Almquist said.

In that match, the Brewers’ Tatum Blalock won the first set 6-3, but Almquist stormed back to take the final sets 6-2 and 6-3.  

Fittingly, Almquist was chosen to serve as a tri-captain in 2022-23 along with two seniors. Speerschneider says the role “shows the respect I gave her as a leader. She’s the type of person who only comes around once in a while. She’s exceptional.”

Her leadership is not lost on her teammates.

“I love how Katherine motivates us with her words of wisdom to achieve individual and team goals. She’s very understanding and supportive of each member of the team. Her energy shines through on and off the court,” said teammate Konika Dhull ’25, an All-Liberty League Singles honoree from India. “She is an absolute boss girl.”

Ella Provost ’25 of Hamilton, Massachusetts, adds: “Katherine’s excitement for tennis is contagious and inspires the entire team! Before I came to Skidmore, she was the first to reach out and check in, and she continues to create a welcoming environment with current underclassmen. She’s a dependable teammate, loyal friend, and kind person.”

It’s one thing to be chosen as a leader, it’s another to raise your hand and choose to lead. Last year, Almquist joined Skidmore Athletic Advisory Committee’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) subcommittee.

This April, thanks in part to Almquist’s efforts, the Athletics Department sponsored a live panel event in the Zankel Music Center: "Experience Matters: A Conversation Around Active Allyship for the LGBTQ+ Community." Students, coaches, alumni, and faculty came together to learn about how to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community and affirm their support.

For Almquist, the work was more than just doing the right thing, it was a personal challenge.

“For starters, I had to address my own internalized homophobia, which comes from societal norms,” she said. “Students and professors told me how helpful the panel conversation was, but deep down I know it only scratched the surface. There’s more to do, and I hope to accomplish more my senior year.”

There comes a time in your life when it's time to step up and be the leader you've been training to be your whole life. … For me, that day is today! I didn't know it was coming, but I know it is here, and this is how I am choosing to respond 100%. 

Katherine Almquist ’24 on LinkedIn

The tennis season is never over…
The 2022-23 Skidmore women's tennis team made the most of its 16th straight NCAA III tournament appearance, besting Drew University 5-1 in the second round. (Almquist won her match 6-0, 6-0.) Unfortunately, No. 4 Middlebury prevailed in the regional final. The No. 28 Thoroughbreds finished with a 13-8 record, earning their 12th consecutive Liberty League championship.

“While it was a bittersweet end, I couldn't be prouder of our team and the progress I made as a player and person this season,” said Almquist, who was unable to finish her individual match against Middlebury (she was down 6-4, 1-0). “But I was competing hard. I don't know what the outcome would have been, but it taught me a lot, and I’m excited to start getting ready for the fall."

“It might seem early to start thinking about what is coming next when the season just ended, but it’s never too early to start planning for long-term goals.”

Over the course of her Skidmore career, Almquist has been named All-Liberty League First Team Singles once and Second Team Singles twice, in addition to earning a spot on the Women's Tennis All-Academic Team. Her first year, she was 7-2 in singles matches and won all three of her doubles matches. As a sophomore, she advanced to the ITA Northeast Regional singles semifinals. This year, she finished at 11-7, primarily at number three singles.

No doubt, there’s more to come.

---

Interested in joining Katherine’s mission to “bring people together to save the planet”? Follow her on LinkedIn.