Athlete Profile: Grace Beyer

The Shawano Community High School cross-country teams are enjoying fall seasons. Senior Grace Beyer has led the girls team in competition.

Beyer’s top finish of the year came on Sept. 7 when she won the Chargers Invitational in Wittenberg. She posted a time of 20 minutes, 37.8 seconds.

The senior finished sixth with a time of 20:35.74 at the Terror Invite on Aug. 30 in Neenah, while placing third in 20:31.9 at the De Pere Invitational on Sept. 2 in De Pere.

Beyer took seventh in 20:45.3 at the Shawano Invitational on Sept. 11 and was fourth with a time of 20:42.3 at the Smiley Invitational on Sept. 18 in Wausau.

Q: When did your interest in cross-country begin?

A: My interest in cross-country began in fifth grade when I joined the Olga Brener running club. My mom (Jamie) and sister (Lydia) were also runners which helped me grow up in the sport.

Q: What is your favorite part about the cross-country season?

A: One thing that makes cross-country so fun is the team. The boys and girls team practice together which builds a team comradery and we all have so much fun. One thing I also look forward to during the cross-country season is the midnight run which kicks off our season.

Q: You’ve turned in a number of strong finishes this season. What would you attribute that success to?

A: I would not be running where I am right now if I did not have my teammates and coaches pushing me. Lily (Guenther) and Grace (Chelberg) are always running with me at practice and pushing me to do my best. Also coach (Steve) Stomberg is always creating workouts to help us meet the goals that we have set.

Q: As you look toward the postseason, what kind of things are you hoping to keep doing and then also be improving upon?

A: As I look towards the postseason I want to keep having strong starts in the beginning of races. I would like to improve on getting my time down and hopefully getting my PR (personal record) this year.

Q: As a senior, how do you try and help lead the rest of the girls team?

A: I try to help lead the girls team by always supporting them and motivating them to work hard at meets and at practice. Some days running sucks so I try to come up with fun things like bringing some music or planning theme days.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you hope to accomplish by the end of the season?

A: I have many goals that I have set for myself for this season. I would like to break 20 minutes in a race as well as make first team all-conference. Another goal that myself and many of my teammates have is to make it to state.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a race starts?

A: Before a race I tend to get very nervous. I spend the time before my race thinking about how I am going to run by breaking down each section of the race. My teammates know to kind of let me do my own thing before a race but I always give a pep talk to the girls before we step up to the starting line.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Shawano girls cross-country team?

A: My favorite memory of competing in cross-country is the girls team winning conference my freshman and junior year. The excitement that the girls team had on those days was amazing and the bus rides home were a lot of fun.

Q: Favorite movie and TV show?

A: Movie — “50 First Dates.” TV show — “Greys Anatomy.”

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know?

A: I love to go shopping.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: The best piece of advice I have received is to make the most of today because you never know what can happen tomorrow. I practice my hardest every day because I never know what tomorrow is going to bring.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After high school I plan on going to college to become a chiropractor. I hope to own my own practice one day and travel a lot.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Grace Beyer

Sport: Cross-country

School: Shawano Community High School

Year: Senior