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With Durant behind, runner surges ahead

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: November 4, 2009

Updated: 11/04/2009 04:21 pm

Besides leaving behind all her friends at Durant High School, Grace VanDeGrift says the hardest adjustment to moving to Ohio has been running in the mud.

There tends to be a lot of it this time of year in the Midwest, especially on some of the cross country courses she has traversed this fall for her new squad at Lebanon High School.

"When you're done running on some courses, you'll just be covered head to toe with mud," said VanDeGrift. "It's so muddy sometimes it will suck your shoes off and kids will come across the finish line with just their socks on."

VanDeGrift and her family made the difficult decision to leave Plant City in late August when a job opportunity in Ohio became available for her father, Ty. But the move was made easier by the fact that it meant returning to the family's hometown of Lebanon, where Ty was the star quarterback of a Lebanon football team that reached the state finals.

Lebanon High also is where Grace's grandfather, Jim VanDeGrift, is something of a legend for the football and track teams he coached. The school's football stadium bears his name and Jim still is actively involved in the community working as a truancy officer.

"That's pretty cool, to run around on the track at the stadium named after my grandpa," said Grace, who was an all-county performer in both track and cross country at Durant. "It's been hard to leave Durant but going to the same high school that my dad went to helps; and having family here is great, too.

"I've made a lot of friends here and I'm really involved in school so that's also made the move easier."

The first thing VanDeGrift had to get used to in Ohio were all the hills. By comparison, Florida is flat as a pool table. But she knows the hills eventually will make her a stronger runner and Ohio's weather at this time of year is far cooler and less humid than in the Sunshine State.

Already, VanDeGrift has turned in some outstanding performances. The No. 1 runner on her squad and an honors student, she began the season with a sub-19 minute performance (18:53) at a major meet on a challenging 5-kilometer course. At Lebanon's district meet Oct. 24, she won the individual title to lead the Warriors to first place in the team standings.

Those district crowns were the first for Lebanon in girls cross country. VanDeGrift also led Lebanon to second place in the conference championships.

"We have a really good team, actually, and the girls on it, I just love them," VanDeGrift said. "I still miss my friends back at Durant - a lot - but the girls on the team here made me feel like family. I'm having a great time here."

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456.

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