Pape grew up in Emerald, Victoria and was inspired to focus on running after seeing local athletes represent Australia in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2008, she set a personal best of 1:59.92 in the 800 metres while winning the Sydney Athletics Grand Prix. Pape competed in the women's 800 metres at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she finished her heat in sixth place, failing to advance to the semi-finals. Pape went on to win an 800m gold medal at the 2009 Summer Universiade in Belgrade, finishing in 2:01.91. However, in 2010, she had a tendon injury that ended her athletics career.