Yes. But who put the junk in the fuel line?
It is possible that the pilot failed to drain the water from the gas tank as part of the pre flight inspection prior to cranking the engine
Water from accumulated condensation was not actually put there but was already present
As to gliding, since she survived, she should have followed engine out procedure and selected an alternate landing site. Since she survived, she apparently did so.
It could have been in the tank from which they fueled the airplane from. Not necessary to be nefarious. I usually try not to go there unless there is some evidence that points in that direction. But a nefarious reason is all too possible, and it is not by any means, negated as a possibility for being the reason. But unless it is not something that gets into a refueling gas tank, like sugar for example, it will be hard to prove I imagine.