Grace Iwig
Hempfield Area
Senior
Events: Pole Vault & High Jump
Favorite Invitational: Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational
How do you mentally prepare yourself for a big competition?
I try to remind myself that I know what I am doing. I’ve been competing for a long time, and there’s nothing different about this particular competition. The most I can do is go out and push myself to be the best that I can be and trust myself to be confident in my own abilities.
Who has been your biggest influence or inspiration in Track & Field?
One of my biggest inspirations is Bridget Guy. She was also coached by Coach White (my coach), and she left her old spikes for others to use. I am the lucky owner of those spikes now, and I have worn her hand-me-down spikes for almost my entire pole-vaulting career. Bridget has been such a helpful person to talk to whenever I’m struggling with a competition or dealing with nerves, and she has been so supportive of my jumping. Having her support makes me so much more confident, and I hope that I can someday be as successful as she is.
What are your goals this season?
There are a lot of technique and consistency issues I’d love to fix in my jumping that would really help me in the long run.
How has being a part of a track and field team influenced your overall high school experience?
Being a part of the track and field team has brought me so many opportunities to meet new people, not only those on my team but also people from different schools. I have made countless friends, and I am so grateful for all the memories that we have made during and outside of track.
What advice would you give to younger athletes who are just starting their journey in track and field?
Be patient. A really big part of getting better at something is trusting yourself to get through the hard spots. Some days you won’t do as well as you want to, but it’s important to remember that you are still learning, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about one bad meet. There is always an opportunity to improve.
How has your coach played a role in your development as a track and field athlete?
Coach White has been one of the most supportive people in my life. She has been with me since the 6th grade and watched me grow and become more confident in myself. She has been with me through every mental block and rough patch and has always helped me to the best of her ability. Without her, I would not be where I am today, and I am so thankful to have her as a coach and a friend.
How do you contribute to creating a positive and supportive team culture within the track and field program?
I think a big part of being supportive on a team is letting teammates know that you are there to root for them, even when things are not going how they want them to. Whether it’s just cheering for them on the track or giving pep talks on the field, every aspect is important to make sure everyone feels encouraged and comfortable. Building a supportive team is important because knowing that everyone wants you to do the best you can is the best way to make competitions less stressful and more fun.
In track and field, individual performance contributes to the overall success of the team. How do you balance individual goals with the team’s objectives, and how does teamwork play a role in track and field events?
Finding a good balance between focusing on yourself and still earning points for the team is crucial to keeping a healthy mindset at a meet. When I am in a situation like this, I always try to focus on what I’m doing in that moment instead of letting myself worry about what the team needs from me. Most of the time, being successful in my individual event will help the team in the long run, and stressing about doing well for the team doesn’t help me do my best.
Hempfield’s Grace Iwig is an extraordinarily rare and uniquely talented Track & Field athlete in the WPIAL. She competes in the only two events where an athlete must attempt to clear a bar to achieve a successful jump: the Pole Vault and High Jump. Grace possesses the remarkable ability to set personal records of 13 feet in the pole vault and 5-4 in the high jump, PRs which will undoubtedly secure her a well-deserved place on the medal stand at the WPIAL Championships this May.
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