More Than an Athlete: Gracie Starret's Impact On/Off the Field

Walnut Grove high school’s softball field is more than just a place of competition for Gracie Starrett; it’s a testament of overcoming obstacles and challenges.
by Rylee Watson

At 16, Gracie balances the life of a typical high school student with demands of being a part of the varsity softball program at Walnut Grove, all while navigating the many complexities of type 1 diabetes. Her journey of diabetes started at the age of 6, as the years added up, the process got easier for Gracie to pick up and recognize specific details. She uses insulin pumps now, mostly because it's what works best for her on a daily basis. Gracie has been diagnosed with type 1 for 10 years now, she shares, “I feel like it's made me more responsible over the years of having to deal with it between sports and school.”

​When game days come, Gracie's schedule has already been planned and thought out. She organizes her pump around her schedule for the day, Gracie explains, “I try to pre-plan what I'm gonna eat that day or night and when I need to eat for certain things, like game days, to keep my blood sugar stable.” 

When the plan isn’t executed, her body will almost immediately feel it coming. In class, a main struggle for Gracie through the week is her blood sugar changing in random waves. “When my blood sugar is low it causes a distraction in class for me, especially when I get dizzy from it and then have to switch my focus to bringing it back up or relaxing it.”

Gracie’s biggest inspiration on the field is Montana Fouts, an American professional softball player. Her admiration for Fouts is rooted by the skills and courage she sees. She shares, “Montana Fouts, she is a really good pitcher. She was out with an injury, but then came back and had a pretty good season...” Gracie notices a strength and grit in Montana Fouts that she hopes to emulate one day.

Gracie is pushing through junior year, and is anticipating looking into a real estate career path in her future. She plans on attending college to further her education, but she is open to the idea of playing softball on a scholarship if that is an option for her. Gracie’s biggest life motto is “Give your 100% effort and don't doubt yourself,” which she shows throughout her day and on the field for team mates and peers.