April Griffin started fast at Shepard. As a freshman, April achieved a highly unlikely feat by placing third in the state in the 400 meters — she also qualified for the IHSA finals as a member of the 800-meter medley relay team and in the 200 meters.
Her first-year achievements offered a mere taste of bigger things to come. April placed second in the 400 meters both her sophomore and junior years. And, as a senior, she would take home the 400-meter crown.

April earned team MVP honors all four years as an Astro. All four years, she qualified for the state finals in the 200 meters and as a member of the Astro 800-meter med-ley relay team.
In 1997, she placed fourth at the Junior Olympics with a personal best time of :53.9 in the 400 meters (April also placed second as a member of the 4x100 meter relay team.)