Masters T&F All-Americans Grant & Claire Overstake Shine at Kansas and Missouri State Games

Taking home 11 gold and silver medals from the Show Me State Games, masters athletes Grant and Claire Overstake continue to inspire, proving that pursuing one's passion knows no age limits.

WICHITA, KAN. - Masters athletes Grant and Claire Overstake from Wichita recently displayed their love for athletics at the Kansas Sunflower State Games in Topeka and the Show Me State Games in Columbia, Mo. Competing in the 65-69 age group, the couple demonstrated that age does not hinder sporting excellence.

Claire is a presidential award-winning science instructor at the Wichita Independent School. Grant is an award-winning author and owner of Grain Valley Publishing Company. In addition to their workouts with the Shocker Track Club, they train together twice a week at the Steve Clark YMCA on the campus of Wichita State University.

Grant and Claire Overstake attribute their fitness to their “gold medal” quality Head Trainer, JaMarques Holiday at the Steve Clark YMCA on the campus of Wichita State University.

The Overstakes' love for track and field started as high school sweethearts at Wichita Heights High School and continued at the University of Kansas, where they became the first married couple to compete on the Jayhawk’s Track & Field Teams. This laid the foundation for their successful career in masters track and field age group competitions.

Claire, a hurdler and sprinter, has achieved the top spot in the USA masters rankings five times since 2009, securing three national championships in the heptathlon and decathlon. Grant, a USATF All-American in the open decathlon during college, has been ranked in the Top 10 eight times in various events during the same period, including a third place in the national masters (50-54) decathlon in 2009.

In 2020, the couple gained international recognition when they were honored with the "Couple's Spirit Award" for competing in the decathlon together (20 total events) during the Worldwide Virtual Masters Challenge Championships. This achievement was remarkable as the global competition featured over 1500 athletes from 61 countries. As a tribute, the couple was named “Emeritus Members for Life” by their hometown team, the Shocker Track Club.

At the state games held in July, Grant and Claire surpassed the age-group All-American Standards six times, and Grant’s winning shot put throw at the Sunflower State Games (5-K,11.88) currently ranks 5th in the nation and 21st in the world in his age group.

The Overstakes’ success underscores their dedication and the personal training they’ve received at the Steve Clark YMCA. Overcoming challenges that kept them sidelined in 2021, including a car accident and surgeries, the couple regained their fitness levels under the guidance of Head Trainer JaMarques Holliday.

The couple commends the YMCA for its exceptional personal training and inclusive culture. Impressed by the YMCA's mission, Grant has recently joined the Board of Directors, aiming to contribute and support the organization's work.