Indiana High School freshman Gracie Reed wrapped up an impressive debut season by competing at the 2025 New Balance Nationals Outdoor track and field championships, held over the weekend at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Reed qualified for the national meet after a standout spring season in which she consistently placed among the top finishers in her events at the district and regional levels. The New Balance Nationals, considered one of the premier high school track events in the country, brought together elite athletes from across the United States, including many of the top-ranked freshmen.
The experience was both eye-opening and motivating for the young sprinter.
“It was definitely a great experience,” Reed said. “Seeing that level of competition was something new for me. Especially with everyone being in the same class as me, it showed me how much potential there is and how hard I need to work to reach my goals.”
Reed competed in the freshman division of the 400-meter dash, an event in which she has steadily improved throughout the season. While she did not place in the top tier of finishers in Philadelphia, her time was among her personal bests, demonstrating consistency and progress on a national stage.
Throughout the season, Reed has drawn attention for her strong work ethic, speed, and poise under pressure. She qualified for the national meet after securing podium finishes at the WPIAL championships and narrowly missing the state finals by less than a second. Her coaches credit her rapid development to her disciplined training and natural competitiveness.
“Gracie has been a joy to coach,” said Indiana High School track coach Mark Hilliard. “She shows up every day ready to push herself. Making it to nationals as a freshman is no small feat, and we’re excited to see where her talent takes her.”
The New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet, which ran from June 19–22, featured high school athletes across all grade levels competing in sprints, distance events, jumps, and throws. The freshman 400-meter division serves as a proving ground for young athletes looking to build a name early in their high school careers.
For Reed, the weekend marked both a culmination and a beginning.
“This meet showed me the level I want to reach and how much more I can grow,” she said. “It’s not the end—just the start.”
With three years of high school competition ahead of her, Reed is already setting her sights on qualifying for the varsity finals next season and returning to nationals in the championship division.
