Grace Hanratty has earned numerous honors while contributing to several championship teams throughout her running career at Old Saybrook. This winter, Grace raced her way to one of the greatest accolades that she’s ever received as a member of the Rams.

Grace competes for Old Saybrook’s cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams. As a junior, she’s leading the girls’ outdoor track squad as one of its captains this spring. During the winter season, Grace turned in a string of excellent performances throughout a memorable postseason run.

Grace started off by setting a meet record in the 600 at the Shoreline Conference Championship, while helping the Rams claim the conference crown for the third-consecutive year. She went on to take first place in the 1,000 at the Class S State Championship and the State Open Championship. Grace then put forth her peak performance in the 1,000 when she finished first at the New England Regional Championship by running a time of 2:56.29.

“I had a super exciting indoor season, and one of my goals was to qualify for New Englands. Once I did, realizing I had a chance to simply place was exciting,” says Grace, who also finished 16th in the 800 at the National Championship. “Winning it wasn’t in my head, so it was super special to win. I had teammates, coaches, and family travel to Boston with me, as well. I was shocked when I won, and it was my career best moment so far.”

Grace runs on a year-round basis and has developed the mentality that a runner needs to consistently cross the finish line with an efficient time.

“Running is as much mental as it is physical. It can be painful, so you have to be in it mentally,” Grace says. “I do a lot of training to keep my body strong, but keeping myself calm helps me compete at my best.”

The competitiveness comes out in Grace when it’s time to traverse the trails or dash on the track. Along the way, Grace has formed relationships while running among some of the best athletes in the state.

“I love the pure competition of running. There is always a clear winner, which is what makes it exciting,” says Grace. “You race the same kids throughout the state, so you get to build fun rivalries with them in the process.”

Prior to her landmark indoor campaign, Grace took first place in the 5K at the Shoreline Conference Championship during the cross country season last fall, helping Old Saybrook finish first as a team. Last spring, she won the 1,600 and ran on two triumphant relays at the Shoreline Championship, where the Rams took the title for the third year in a row.

While Grace has seen tremendous success in both arenas, she says that cross country and track each have their fair share of variables to prepare for.

“I run 5Ks with cross country and, with track, I don’t run more than a mile for events, and I like mid-distance running for it. It’s hard to make that adjustment to track, but I like the idea that I can be good at both,” Grace says. “In cross country, it’s a lot more about the different courses and conditions you are running on. I really think of both of them as two different sports.”

Girls’ cross country and track Head Coach Peter Capezzone works with Grace throughout the school year. Capezzone says that Grace is one of the hardest-working athletes he’s ever met and is always ready to assist her teammates in any way she can.

“Grace is a very focused and goal-oriented young lady who ultimately accomplishes whatever she sets out to do,” says Capezzone. “She is also a strong team leader and captain who cheers on her teammates and competitors from other teams, as well. These strong attributes, along with her athleticism, help to refine the great athlete that she is.”

While she still has her senior year to look forward to, Grace is currently focused on helping Old Saybrook stay atop the Shoreline Conference this spring. She’s also striving to get back to the New England Championship.

“I have another three seasons to go after this spring, but for the outdoor team, we are looking to win Shorelines after having won it [the last three years]. We also want to place high at states,” Grace says. “I just want to stay focused. I would love to qualify for regionals again. I want to continue to succeed next year and just have fun with it.”