On The Line, Episode 5: Lakeland's Grace Stark

On Episode 5 of MileSplit's On The Line podcast, Cory Mull chats with White Lake Lakeland (MI) High School senior Grace Stark on her recent experience at the Youth Olympics in Argentina, her commitment to the University of Florida, her upcoming indoor and outdoor season, and the many roads her career has taken her on. 

Stark is fast becoming the type of athlete you can't miss in high school track and field, and the Michigan athlete no doubt is headed toward great things in 2018. 

The 17-year-old is coming off a gold medal performance at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she became one of just eight American athletes all-time to break 13 seconds all conditions in the 100 meter hurdles, though her effort actually tied for the fastest race ever run. In finishing the race in 12.83 seconds at the 30-inch hurdles, Stark tied Agoura High School graduate Tara Davis with the fastest time at the distance ever recorded. Check out her interview above. 

Run of Show: 

  • Welcoming in Grace Stark [0:15]
  • Describing her gold medal performance at the Youth Olympics [0:42]
  • How the opportunity to run at the Youth Olympics came about [2:00]
  • How did your body adjust to competing at that stage of the year [3:30]
  • Describing her actual races in Argentina [4:15]
  • Did you get to jog around with an American flag [5:20]
  • What was the experience like in Argentina [6:15]
  • Grace committed to the University of Florida! [7:45]
  • Why Gainesville [8:20]
  • Exploring a new place and deciding on the right fit [8:50]
  • How much did coaching play an impact [9:55]
  • Is Florida becoming a hurdler University? [10:20]
  • What's your five-year plan [10:50]
  • What as the visit at Florida like? [11:30]
  • What is Dragon Ball Z and how much of a fan is Grant? [12:15]
  • Culture of Florida and why it was important [12:55]
  • Cool moments from her visits to 4 schools [13:00]
  • Meeting Michigan State's Coach Izzo [14:10]
  • Upcoming to your upcoming season [15:50]
  • How Grace's club coach has helped her improve [16:20]
  • What meets will Grace compete at over the indoor season [17:20]
  • The importance of speed and endurance this year [18:00]
  • Favorite indoor meet and the why [18:20]
  • Routines for pre-race indoors [19:15]
  • Attire rituals for meets for Grace [19:50]
  • How important is indoors? [20:40]
  • Grace might try the 300 hurdles this season [21:30]
  • Her feelings on what she's improved on the most [22:50]
  • The balance between speed and technique [24:15]
  • The goal of breaking 13 seconds in the 100mH this year [25:05]
  • Competition between Tia Jones in the hurdles [26:50]
  • On competing versus being analytical [28:00]
  • Favorite food spot in Lakeland [28:40]
  • What's the best restaurant/gas station [29:15]
  • Closing the podcast [30:45]

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