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While the present is uncertain, Havre's Grace Loftus plans to run toward her future
Havre High's Grace Loftus leaves the field in her wake during a triangular meet at the Havre Middle School Track last May. Loftus, like so many other senior athletes, is losing a good chunk, if not all, of her final season to COVID-19, but she still plans to pursue track and field in her future. The Montana High School Association is one of 21 states yet to officially cancel its spring sports season, but in order for there to be competition, schools would have to be open by May 4.
Things have been tough for athletes across the Hi-Line the past couple months. With the spring sports season hanging by a thread, many athletes face the hard reality of not having a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has halted the 2020 season. But some athletes have been making strides to stay positive, even if they may not have a season.
One of those athletes is Havre High senior Grace Loftus.
Loftus has been a part of the Blue Pony track and field team for all four years of her high school career but has participated in the sport since she was in sixth grade. With all that time in the sport, it is clear that Loftus has built up a solid career and has been dedicated to the sport since.
Loftus participates in four events for HHS, but she does have a favorite of the four.
"I compete in the 100, 200, long jump and the short relay," Loftus said. "But my favorite event would have to be the relay. That race is so much fun especially when I get to do it with my friends."
Loftus has spent quite a bit of time on the track for the Ponies. In the 2019 season, in her junior year, Loftus put in work at the Class A State Meet, placing 12th in the girls Class A long jump and helping the Havre girls place second in the girls Class A 4x100 relay with a time of 49.86. On top of that, she put up an impressive performance at the 2019 Havre Invitational in 2019, too.
In that meet, Loftus placed second in the girls 100 meter with a time of 14.51, was part of the Havre girls team that placed first in the girls 4x100 relay in 51.45 and finished in fourth place for the girls long jump with a 13-07.50 score. Needless to say, Loftus is an excellent competitor and contributor to the Ponies.
And now in her senior year, Loftus may only have last season to look back on. Even so, she has been staying determined and focused to do great things on and off the track. With Havre High moving to a remote learning format that has students doing schoolwork online, Loftus has had to adjust to the change, but she has been working to put forth good work academically like she was still in the school building.
Loftus has been focusing on her future, too. Though she has yet to decide where to attend college, Loftus has a plan for what she wants to go into after high school, including staying involved in her sport.
"I plan to attend college for physical therapy and possibly continue my athletic pursuit in track and field," Loftus said.
The COVID-19 situation is a tough one for many athletes, including Loftus. There is no guarantee she will see her final season as a Blue Pony happen, but she knows to stay strong and work hard regardless. That shows just how much her character shines through in the current world without sports.
Loftus shared her thoughts on the current state of spring sports, as well.
"Finding out that my senior season of track might be getting canceled was disappointing news," Loftus said. "All school year I have been looking forward to it. I know the other athletes on the team were, too. It's hard to cope with it realizing that my junior year might be the last time I will run on a track representing the Blue Ponies."
At the end of the day, it is difficult to see a season come to and end before it ever started, but athletes like Loftus have been staying on top of things academically and athletically, proving that the Hi-Line has a lot of strength in these hard times.
Loftus may not get to hit the track in her senior season, but she has proven to be an excellent athlete and student for Havre, which will no doubt help her succeed in the future. There is still a decision to be made about the sports season, but before that, the Havre Daily News caught up with Loftus for five questions.
HDN: What is your favorite thing about track and field?
Loftus: "My favorite thing about track would have to be being around others that had the same goal as me. I love having a team that will push each other to get better and excel at the sport."
HDN: What is your favorite memory with the Havre High track and field team?
Loftus: "My favorite memory would be my junior year at state. My relay was able to PR and take second place to put us on the podium."
HDN: Who or what is your biggest inspiration when it comes to your high school career?
Loftus: "My biggest inspiration is my parents as well as my coaches. They have pushed me to get better on and off the track."
HDN: What are your hobbies outside of sports?
Loftus: "I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and just being outdoors."
HDN: How have you been coping with the lack of a track and field season?
Loftus: "My teammates and I are still hoping for a season. Since then, I've been trying to stay in shape and doing some running mechanics just in case we are able to have a season, even if it's a short one. I've also been keeping myself busy with homework."
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