Grace Stark from Michigan qualifies for the Summer Olympics in Paris in the 100-meter hurdles

Grace Stark became the fastest 100-meter hurdler in Michigan high school history just six years ago when she competed for White Lake Lakeland High School.

On Sunday evening she became an Olympic participant for the first time.

Stark secured her spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics by finishing third in the 100-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Qualifiers in Eugene, Oregon, setting a new personal best of 12.31 seconds.

It was the perfect time for Stark to run a personal best, as she secured the final spot on the U.S. Olympic team by beating former world champion and Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali by just 0.06 seconds.

The race capped off a great month for Stark, as she also won the NCAA national title on June 8 with a time of 12.47, thus ending her career at the University of Florida.

While at Lakeland, Stark became a state champion in the 100-meter hurdles as a junior and senior and also won a state title in the 100-meter dash her junior year.

Stark’s high school coach called her a “once in a lifetime” athlete, and her time of 13.16 at the state championships her junior year remains the state record for high school students. Stark holds the two fastest race times ever recorded for a Michigan high school student, as her No. 2 time of 13.24 earned her the title at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals her junior year. No other high school athlete has run a time under 13.36.

Stark’s journey as an Olympian begins on August 7 when she competes in the opening round of the women’s 100-meter hurdles at the Stade de France in Paris.

On a distance of 100 meters, the hurdlers must try to overcome 10 hurdles with a height of 84 cm.