Flashback 100: MHSAA Titles Just Start for NCAA Champion, Olympian Stark
May 6, 2025
In the time it takes to list just a few of Grace Stark’s achievements, the former White Lake Lakeland track star could blaze through the 100-meter hurdles race – twice.
A 2019 graduate of Lakeland, Stark made her mark early. As a junior in 2018, she set an MHSAA Finals record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.16 seconds. That same year, she also captured the Lower Peninsula Division 1 title in the 100-meter dash. She returned as a senior to win a second championship in the 100-meter hurdles.
Stark continued her dominance at the University of Florida, where she rewrote the record books. She holds the fastest times in program history for the outdoor 100-meter hurdles, the indoor 60-meter hurdles and the indoor 60-meter dash. In 2024, she earned first-team All-America honors for both the indoor and outdoor seasons and was crowned NCAA champion in the outdoor 100-meter hurdles. She had previously won the NCAA indoor 60-meter hurdles title in 2022.
Stark reached the global stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics, placing fifth in the 100-meter hurdles while representing Team USA. She crossed the finish line just a tenth of a second behind gold medalist – and fellow American – Masai Russell. Stark's Olympic appearance followed another international highlight: She previously won the gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.
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Dec. 20: Future Olympian Piper Leads Grosse Pointe North to Historic Heights - Read
Dec. 13: The Other Mr. Forsythe in Michigan School Sports - Read
Dec. 6: Coleman's Legendary Heroics Carry Harrison Through Repeat - Read
Nov. 29: Harbaugh Brothers' Football Roots Planted in Part at Pioneer - Read
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Nov. 1: Michigan High School Baseball Trio Provide World Series Voices - Read
Oct. 25: Before Leading Free World, Ford Starred for Champion GR South - Read
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Oct. 11: Fisher Races to Finals Stardom on Way to U.S. Olympic First - Read
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Negaunee Girls Complete Perfect Season with Record-Setting Saturday
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
June 1, 2025
KINGSFORD — The Negaunee girls completed a perfect track & field season here Saturday, earning their first Upper Peninsula Division 1 title in three years with 155 points.
They were followed by Marquette with 109 and Gladstone at 78.
“I am incredibly proud of my team’s effort today,” Negaunee coach Vickie Paupore said. “They have been undefeated throughout the season, and I know they were a little nervous going into the final meet, but they took the confidence that they have had all year and finished strong.”
Miners’ sophomore Keira Waterman set school records while winning the 400-meter dash in 58.55 seconds and 800 (2:21.86). She anchored the winning 400 relay, which was clocked at a school-record 51.21.
Waterman added a second place in long jump at 15-11¼ and was runner-up to Marquette sophomore Taylen Todd, who jumped a personal-best 16-3½.
“My Regional time in the 800 wasn’t the best,” Waterman said. “I came in here seeded sixth, but it ended up being a pretty good day. Taylen had a real good jump.”
Miners classmate Sadie Rogers also had a hand in three firsts, retaining her 100 hurdles title (15.78), winning the 300 (47.94) and anchoring the 400 relay on this sunny and mild day at Flivver Field.
“I like it,” she said. “Feels good to win the 100 hurdles again. I was nervous before the race, but just had to have a positive mindset and do my best. This gets me in a good spot, although I have to stay humble. You never know what can happen. We had perfect weather with no wind when we were running.”
Senior Macyn Dellangelo added a first in the 100 at 12.88 seconds, followed by Gladstone senior Lauren Sundquist in 13 seconds flat and Negaunee freshman Elvera Coyne (13.05).
“I enjoy starting out of the blocks,” Dellangelo said. “It’s always nice to know I got a good start and push through it.
“This is probably the best team we’ve had in a while. We’re filled with good athletes.”
Dellangelo, who will continue her education at Northern Michigan University this fall, also led off the 400 relay.
“Keira had a phenomenal day and ran with so much heart,” Paupore said. “She improved upon her own 400 record time and broke Emily Paupore’s record in the 800 from 2018. Sadie Rogers also had some phenomenal performances in the hurdle races. She has run the hurdles so well all year.
“Our seniors really showed up today. Madison Pekrul had PRs (personal records) in both hurdles and was on a winning leg of the mile (1,600) relay. Macyn was the U.P. champion in the 100 and was a leg of our school-record setting 400 relay. She has had some tremendous improvements this season.”
Negaunee junior Baylie Bourdeau won discus with a personal-best toss of 98-2, and sophomore Priya Morey took second (93-10).
“Our discus throwers really came in clutch today,” Paupore said. “They were sitting in fourth and fifth after the preliminary rounds and ended up throwing themselves into first and second place on their last throws.”
Marquette showed its strength in the distances.
Junior Ella Fure won the 3,200 (11:44.58), and senior Maija Maki-Warne added a first in the 1,600 (5:20.98) and was runner-up in the 800 (2:22.56).
Fure placed second in the 1,600 (5:21.12) and third in the 800 (2:27.45).
“I’m really happy with my day,” she said. “I’m really proud of my teammates and Alisha (Mabie of Escanaba). Our friendship is going to last a lifetime. It’s kind of bittersweet because all my best friends are graduating. I ran my race for special people (Jenn, Addie, Stella and Jordan DeMay).”
Mabie, also an NMU recruit, was runner-up in the 3,200 in a personal-best 11:51.46 and third in the 1,600 (5:28.3).
Marquette senior Chloe Miller, bound for Wisconsin-Parkside this fall, placed fourth in the 400 (1:02.41) and 800 (2:31.58) and helped the winning 3,200 relay (10:21.35).
“I’m happy with the times I ran,” the former Alton, Ill., the resident said. “I moved up here in May 2024. I think we have the best athletes we could ask for. The people are so supportive. I never had that before. The thing I’ll remember the most is the way they took me in as one of their own.”
PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's Sadie Rogers (center) jumps over the last hurdle of the 100 race ahead of the rest of the field Saturday at Kingsford. (Middle) Manistique's Ashlyn Jones, Marquette's Eryn Veverka, and Negaunee's Nori Korsman start the 3,200 relay. Marquette took first place and Negaunee took second. Members of the winning team also included Evelyn Grant, Chloe Miller, and Ella Fure. (Click for more from Cara Kamps/RunMichigan.com.)