Lebanon’s VanDeGrift used to the big stage

Junior runner made the 4A state meet twice in Florida at Durant High School.

By Scott Hayes, Staff Writer 1:21 AM Friday, November 6, 2009

LEBANON — Hot, cold, sand or mud. Regardless of the conditions, Grace VanDeGrift has proven that she can run cross country with the best.

The Lebanon High School junior will test her skills against Ohio’s best on Saturday, Nov. 7, when she competes in the Division I cross country state meet.

VanDeGrift qualified by finishing 10th at last weekend’s regional meet at Troy High School, crossing the finish line in 19 minutes, 31.94 seconds.

“I just want to go and do my best,” VanDeGrift said. “We’ll see how it goes. There’s certainly no pressure.”

VanDeGrift is accustomed to the big stage. As a freshman and a sophomore, she qualified for the 4A state meet in Florida while running for Durant High School in Plant City, Fla.

“It’s really exciting to make the state championship my first year in Ohio after making it in Florida twice,” VanDeGrift said. “I take a lot of pride in that.

“It’s a lot different because running in Ohio, there are more hills and mud and it’s colder. But in Florida, I had to deal with the heat and running on sand, so it kind of evens out. Running in the cold is different, but I like it a lot more than running when it’s hot.”

VanDeGrift moved to Lebanon just days prior to school starting. Getting to be a Warrior — and run in the stadium that is named after her grandfather, Jim, and where her father, Ty, played — is something she cherishes.

“It’s really special because my family is here and I get to race as a Warrior. It’s so cool to run in a stadium named after my grandpa,” VanDeGrift said.

“It’s a lot to live up to, and there’s a lot of pressure, but I like it. Dad played here, Grandpa coached here ... to be able to carry on that family tradition of being a Warrior is really something special.”

Springboro also will compete in D-I girls race. Paced by junior Carly Hamilton and freshman Rachael Mahle, the Panthers finished as regional runner-ups last week.

Valley View senior Jake Kasperski will run in the D-II boys race.

Contact this reporter

at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.

State Cross Country Championships

Where: Scioto Downs Racetrack, Columbus

When: Saturday

Schedule: D-III Girls (11:05 a.m.), D-II Girls (11:50 a.m.), D-I Girls (12:35 p.m.); D-III Boys (1:20 p.m.); D-II boys (2:05 p.m.); D-I boys (2:50 p.m.)

Admission: $9

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