RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Anyae Grissom of Williamsport will compete in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles at states in Class AAA.

It’s been in the back of her mind for an entire year. Ever since that day in Shippensburg in May, 2023, Williamsport’s Anyae Grissom has thought about how everything seemed to go wrong.

First she couldn’t find her spikes and had to get another pair.

Then, as she was about to run, she realized her jersey was on backwards.

Anything that could go wrong last year at states seemingly did for Grissom. But the always optimistic Millionaire with a bubbly personality was still grateful for being able to compete at states last spring.

But that doesn’t mean she was happy with what happened or even satisfied. It’s motivated her and fueled her for an entire year. Now, she’s on her redemption tour, and the next stop is Shippensburg.

“I am so excited to redeem myself at states. I feel like the fact I had a whole year to think about losing my spikes and doing bad and literally getting last place, I’m so ready to just go,” Grissom said.

The Duquesne commit is competing at the state meet this year in two individual events after she was a two-time district champion this past week by winning gold in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles races.

“I’m very happy that I won. I was looking to PR, but I noticed in my heat there wasn’t any times close to mine and I PR with a lot of competition, so I’m looking forward to that at states,” Grissom said.

Grissom is eyeing a new PR in the 100 hurdles, besting her current mark of 14.60. And, of course, get a little higher on the podium.

“Just really to PR and do better than I did last year,” Grissom said about her expectations.

Grissom considers the 100 hurdles the better of her two hurdle events, but she plans on running hurdles while in college and wants to give the 400 hurdles a chance. What better way to prepare for that than competing in the 300 hurdles against some of the state’s best.

“I just want to get myself ready (for college),” Grissom said.

The Millionaire senior is seeded in the second heat of the Class AAA 100 hurdle prelims with her time of 15.17 and is hoping to get through on Friday to reach Saturday’s finals and ensure a medal. In the 300 hurdles, Grissom is also in the second heat with her mark of 46.39.

The top time in Class AAA’s prelims in both the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles belongs to the same athlete: Oxford Area senior Macaela Walker. She has a mark of 13.88 in the 100 hurdles, the only runner in the state to break the 14-second mark, and a time of 42.13 in the 300 hurdles.

“I’m satisfied (going to states in two events), but obviously I want more,” Grissom said with a smile. “So I’m excited for states.”

Grissom admitted that she struggled last year in the 300 hurdles from a mental aspect. It resulted in an unfortunate panic attack which saw her hands tense up and her shaking as she went down to the starting blocks. But Grissom has found ways to deal with it when she begins the 300 hurdles.

“I was really glad I found a way to persevere and not let my emotions get best of me (this year),” Grissom said.

SISTER, SISTER

Williamsport’s Madeline and Isabelle Sanders have both had stellar seasons this year in their respective events. Both have set school records and on Saturday at Williamsport, the Sanders each broke a District 4 record in the 1,600 and 3,200 events.

Now, both are looking to keep that success going into the state meet, which begins today in Shippensburg.

Madeline broke the District 4 record in the Class AAA 3,200 event with a time of 11:02.01, just three seconds behind Lewisburg standout Baylee Espinosa, who ran a 10:59.78. Sanders ran an outstanding race, chasing down Espinosa in the final stretch to run a great time.

“I mean it definitely means a lot to me catching up with Izzy because she broke school record at our last meet,” Madeline said of breaking the record. “It’s really fun, it’s really great to run with a lot of very talented and skilled runners.”

Isabelle finished second in the 1,600 with a mark of 5:05.29, just 0.26 seconds from taking gold as Lewisburg’s Jenna Binney won.

While the two keep setting program marks and had great district performances, neither is too competitive with one another. There’s a little bit of that sibling competition, but that’s the extent. Instead, a win by one sister is a win by both.

“A success for one of us is a success for both of us,” Isabelle said. “It does push you to go out there and see how close you can get, but it really is about winning together.”

Both now get to experience states together.

“Definitely to go out there and give it everything I have because it’s a state meet and we want to get as far as we can go,” Madeline said.

Isabelle compared heading to Shippensburg to what it was like to go to the cross country state championships this past fall.

“There’s a lot of great runners competing together, so I’m really excited,” Isabelle said. “I got high hopes and there’s a good chance of getting my time even lower there.”