Grace Grilliot didn’t start track with years of experience or a long list of goals—she started with a simple decision to try something new. Inspired by her older sister, she joined the team at Tomahawk Creek Middle School thinking it might be something she could pick up along the way. “I hadn’t really done much else, so I thought I’d try it,” she says. What started as a simple decision has turned into eight seasons of dedication, growth, and connection, now continuing at Midlothian High School.

Grace began with sprints before stepping into hurdles in eighth grade, a transition that quickly became her focus. Since then, she’s committed herself fully, competing in both indoor and outdoor seasons and showing up to practice every day. But for Grace, the experience has never been just about performance. “Some things can just be for fun, not just because I’m good at it,” she shares. That perspective has allowed her to enjoy the process, stay grounded, and appreciate the sport for everything it offers beyond results.

One of the things Grace values most is the environment her team creates. While her closest friends from middle school run different events, she’s built new friendships through hurdles and found a sense of belonging across the entire team. “Even if you don’t talk to someone every day, everyone has a good attitude,” she says. “Everyone is so happy, and it just makes your day better.” That positivity has become one of the defining parts of her track experience.

Under the guidance of Coach Madelyn Venable, Grace has also developed a deeper understanding of the sport. “She’s really specific about form and what your body should be doing—not just getting over the hurdle,” Grace explains. Having a coach with high-level experience has brought a new level of focus and confidence to her training. “It’s nice to have someone who really knows what they’re doing—[teaching us the importance of] good workouts and things that’ll make [us] faster,” she adds.

From local meets at James River High School to larger invitationals like the Dogwood Meet at UVA and the East Coast Invitational in Virginia Beach, Grace has embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. “It’s really cool to see such high-level runners and be in that kind of environment,” she says. Looking ahead, Grace is excited to continue building on her experience and making the most of her final seasons—focusing not just on results, but on the moments, the people, and the joy that made her fall in love with track in the first place.