[3] Although the school did not have official track or cross country teams, Walker began running competitively as a freshman.
[3] In 1970, Walker was the Oregon high school state champion in the mile and runner-up in the 3,000 meters at the AAU national championships held at UCLA.
[6] In the early 1970s, Walker attended the University of Oregon where she received instruction from the legendary Steve Prefontaine.
[3][6] From 1972 to 1978, she won Oregon Road Runners Club women's aquathlon, a biathlon consisting of running and swimming, six consecutive times.
[3] In 1981, Walker returned to college at Oregon State University where she was briefly coached by Joe Fulton.