VanDeGrift Sets Her Sights on 3A Title

Grace competing at Pre-State in October, where she finished in 14th place.

 

 

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One of Grace VanDeGrift’s first experiences in running involved the time when nobody told her she was running the wrong way.

 

VanDeGrift, a senior at Durant High School in Tampa who just announced she is going to be running for the University of Florida next year, was 11-years-old and running her first 5K event. She knew she could handle 5K even though it was her first time. There was a small problem, though. There was a 10K going on at the same time and the directions weren't quite clear. VanDeGrift made it through the first two kilometers pretty easily and that's where things got bizarre.

 

She went the wrong way without realizing it. For awhile she just kept running and running and running and was wondering if she would ever get past that third kilometer. 

 

"All I could think was that I have never had a time this long in my life," VanDeGrift said. "I knew I couldn’t stop so I just kept going. I was crying and wondering when I was going to get past the third K and I thought I was putting up a horrible time."

 

Eventually VanDeGrift realized what was going on and stopped for a few minutes before deciding to tough it out. It might have been a tear-jerking experience, but it toughened her up for a career that has her on the brink of a Class 3A state title when the best in her class come together at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City on Saturday. VanDeGrift is considered one of the favorites for the title and said if she doesn't win the championships she is vowing to top her personal best of 18:05, which she scored at the regional meet at Starkey Park in New Port Richey on November 13.

 

It's been a winding road for VanDeGrift. She spent her first two years at Durant and finished in the top 20s in both state cross country meets before her family moved to Ohio for her junior years after her father got a job that required relocation. VanDeGrift said she took the move in stride, looking for a new experience, but the cross country part of it was a lot different. For one, the weather in Ohio called for harsh conditions and the constant rain didn't make it any easier.

 

"It was always cold and we were running in mud up to our knees," VanDeGrift said. "It was just so much colder than I was used to. I grew up in Florida. It wasn't a bad experience because I got to go to the same high school as my father, but I was happy to move back."

 

VanDeGrift came back in December and was welcomed back with open arms at Durant. Coach Mike Gursky said he was thrilled that VanDeGrift came back home.

 

"She sets a great example for everyone on and off the track," Gursky said. "We missed her but we understood she had to stay with her family, but she can run with anyone in the county or even in the entire state."

 

VanDeGrift opened up the 2010 season with a bang when she spent the night before the Pre-State Invitational at Little Everglades Ranch wearing high heels and serving as a member of the Durant Homecoming court. She got to take off the heels and help clean up the field after the football game, but was out in Dade City bright and early the next morning and covered the course in 18:42, good for 14th place. She said the night before went pretty late, but it was still her job to be up early to run the race and get used to the course where she will be running this Saturday. The Homecoming dance was held the night of the race, so VanDeGrift said she had to keep something in the tank.

 

"It was worth it," she said. "I was tired, but I had to do it to get a feel for the course."

 

A few weeks later, she led Durant to its first region berth by dominating the field at the 3A District 4 meet at Polk State College in Winter Haven.

 

A state title is on her mind, but with the likes of Lily Williams, Carly Thomas, Darroneshia Lott, and other stars in her 3A race VanDeGrift said a personal best and top 3 finish wouldn't be a disaster. 

 

"There's so much competition and it is so tough, but if I run my race I can win," VanDeGrift said. "All I know is I am totally focused on Saturday."

 

She has every right to be confident as long as she runs in the right direction at the Steeplechase.

 

 

 

Video interview by Todd Grasley after her win at the county meet.