Grace Lanouette's senior season has gotten off to a strong start. Before the calendar switched over from 2017 to 2018, the Conestoga sprinter was working on the longer sprints, developing her endurance with races like the 400 meters and 300 meters.
But now that we're fully immersed into the new year, Lanouette is settling into her specialty, the shorter sprints. At the Kevin Dare Invitational at Penn State, Lanouette took second in the 60 meters (7.69) and the 200 meters (25.29) to Frederick (MD)'s Jaida Smith. Both times were PRs and PA#2 performances.
At Sunday's Bears Invitational at Ursinus College, Lanouette squared off with another out-of-state star, Najiya Cornish of Ursuline Academy (DE). Lanouette once again took second, but still clocked another PR of 7.14. That, too, puts her at PA#2.
Lanouette attributes that success in the 55/60 and 200 meters to running those longer races: "My coaches had me running a lot of 400s and a lot of 400 workouts, and I think it's really changed the way that I run short sprints and it's been really helpful," she said. "I think I'm in much better shape than I ever have been."
Lanouette was seventh at states in the 60 meters last winter, and second in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters at outdoor states this past spring. On a state level this winter, she'll focus on big performances in the 60 meters and 200 meters.
"Number one is incredibly fast, of course---Thelma Davies---but I think number two is definitely in reach for me and that's what I'm shooting for," Lanouette added.
Watch the race above and check out a post-race interview with Lanouette below:
MORE BEARS INVITATIONAL LINKS
- Complete Results
- Photos (By Howard Anderson)
- Race Videos
- Interviews